ABUJA – Civil Society Organisations under the auspices of ‘Situation Room” on Thursday in Abuja urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to intensify preparations for conduct of the February general elections.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
Briefing newsmen, Mr Clement Nwankwo, Executive Director of Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), on behalf of the CSOs, said time was of the essence in preparing for the elections.
He expressed worry over the state of production and distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and urged the commission to resolve all pending issues.
“Situation Room calls on INEC to immediately take steps to address several logistical and other concerns about the election, including ensuring that the delay in the distribution of the PVCs is resolved urgently.
”INEC should update Nigerians on a daily and regular basis its preparations for the election as well as training and deployment of ad hoc staff.
“Situation Room is calling on both Federal and state governments to declare, at least, one work-free day to enable Nigerians concentrate on collecting their PVCs.”
Nwankwo expressed concerns about the security agencies especially the police whose plans for the elections is not visible.
“Sitiation Room calls on the Police authority to publicly state its selections plan and make commitment to professionalism and non-partisanship during the elections,” he said.
He called on candidates to take responsibility for the actions and excesses of their supporters and urged Nigerians to discountenance campaigns by any candidate or party based on religious, regional or ethnic divisions.
He charged the voters to endeavour to collect their PVCs and also to ensure that they voted in the elections.
Nwankwo disclosed that the civil society organisations would monitor the elections through its observers across the 36 states, including the North-East and the FCT. (NAN)
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