Towards Free, Fair Rerun In Rivers

Tomorrow, March 19, 2016, is the long awaited
day for rerun elections into 22 seats in the
Rivers State House of Assembly, 12 seats in the Federal House of Representatives, and three Senatorial seats. The elections, promise to be keenly contested especially by the major political parties in the State.
They will offer Rivers people another opportunity to elect their law-makers and to test their commitment to democracy. Already the people have been mobilised, and sensitized to perform their civic responsibilities to the State. It is an opportunity to recommit, to the unity, well-being and peaceful coexistence of the people.
Count down to the Election date has witnessed a lot of verbal accusations and counter-accusations by the major players, threats and counter-threats, cult-induced killings and violence, among others that have raised an avoidable tension and fears. It is sad that an electoral act could be reduced to crude threats, and crass resort to ‘do-or-die’, make or mar exercise.
The Tide believes that the whole idea of creating fears and doubts in the minds of the people is to scare away the electorate, so as to take advantage of the opportunity to manipulate the polls. In fact, some persons have also boasted that they would use the military to get the result they want.
That is why we are happy with the heavy deployment of security personnel to Rivers State for the purpose of the elections. At least, the people will be reassured. It is also commendable that the leaders of the security agencies have made statements that should keep politicians in check.
Similarly, the modification of the election process that requires the electorate to vote immediately after accreditation also reduces the chance of violence, conflict and rigging. These are some of the reasons why politicians who are not sure of their standing with the people incite fear aimed at keeping the people away.
On the contrary, we expect all registered voters, not to allow the orchestrated state of tension and fear to intimidate them and becloud their sense of responsibility to the State. They must come out in their numbers, cast their votes, and ensure that they stand firm to defend the hard-earned democracy.
This election must be done well and decided convincingly. Rivers people have lost too much on the account of election failures, electoral litigations and the attendant social crises. The past few months have brought upon the government and society, as a whole, some uncertainties and delays that serve no good purpose.
For the elections to be conclusive and reflective of the true wishes of the people, nobody should sit back at home and expect others to go and vote the way somebody else wants. Nobody should take anything for granted, certainly, not the popularity anyone or group appears to enjoy. Election is a different ball game.
In fact, to stay away and claim to hate politics is the beginning of aparthy on  the most important aspect of human and social life. To stay away for fear of crisis is the recipe for electoral fraud. But this time around, Rivers people must prove that they now know better.
Even so, we expect the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be at their best. With the retinue of top officials of the Commission already in Rivers State we expect nothing but a successful outing this time around. Unlike before election materials must arrive polling units early enough. We expect INEC and ad-hoc staff of the Commission to be neutral, efficient and effective.
We expect that those involved in the conduct of the elections would play by the rules, and ensure that no voter is disenfranchised, even as the law gives all well-thinking adults, the required protection to freely express themselves through the ballot. This age tested practice by the civilized world must be allowed to tame the craving for power just for power sake.
Nigerians want to see that the Police and operatives of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Security (DSS) deployed for election duties to be at their best, and ensure the safety of all before, during and after the elections. In fact, the security agencies must prove wrong those who have boasted that they would use the military to rig the elections.
The political class must make the process safe, peaceful and orderly. As people that desire to serve, they must show by their conduct that they truly deserve to lead the people. It is all about deciding the persons to lead out in actualising the best interest of the people within a season. It is not war and should not be made the end of the road for anyone.