Group Tasks INEC On Rivers Rerun Polls

One of the accredited
observer groups that monitored last legislative re- run elections in Rivers State, Justice and Equity Organization, has urged the Independent National Electorial Commission (INEC) to ensure that petitions emanating from the elections are addressed and treated through observation of due process.
The Coordinator of the group, Stephen B. Bafunsho who gave the charge in a statement, insisted that investigations must be conducted into the snatching of electoral materials for the prosecution of the electoral offenders while the people look forward to enacting more electoral laws for the prosecution and consolidation of electoral process in the country.
He commended the people of Rivers State and the electorates for exhibiting high level of commitment to sustenance of democracy and confidence in the electoral process in the country.
According to him,’’ We are happy with the elctoral body to have created a level playing ground for all the contestants under conducive environment and guided by the best international practices and standards.
The Group Coordinator expressed dissatisfaction with the attitude of most of the politicians “winning at all cost,”  through the utilization of armed political thugs for snatching of electoral materials, killing of both poll officers and security personnels including voters.
‘’Despite INEC’s fairness and justice in dealing with stakeholders, politicians have committed high level of electoral malpractices that must be properly addressed through observation of ‘due process’’, he said.
He claimed that the current trend of declaration of inconclusive elections has been as a result of the high level of snatching of electoral materials by armed political thugs with hope of weakening the political opponent’s winning chance.
Bafunsho however said the low turnout of the electorate during elections in the country must be addressed through provision of the dividends of democracy to all citizens and their encouragement for sustenance of their confidence in electoral process in the country.