TOWARDS A PEACEFUL ELECTION AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

By Lois O. Adams

Being a strong believer of the SIMPLE AGENDA, and having simply engaged the people locally to achieving the desired aim of having a safe Edo state I therefore, send a gentle reminder of the electoral policy of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure we maintain peace especially during the election, come 19th September, 2020, that will usher in our new Governor, in the candidacy of Pastor Dr. Osagie Ize-Iyamu (POI).

The INEC, under the leadership of Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu has always advocated for issues-based political engagements. We need to join the Commission to uphold any section of the Electoral Act, by ensuring violence - free elections that is worth emulation.

The Commission has set its machinery in motion to strictly monitor compliance by all parties, this is reason we have to educate ourselves the more and other electorates, because ignorance is not an excuse in law. Stakeholders and active players have to adhere as well.

According to INEC we have to avoid violence-prone engagements capable of fanning the embers of disunity, chaos, extremism and bigotry during voting. In maintaining voilence-free, peaceful, free and fair election we should understand some key areas like;

1. Friendliness

Electorates should help their candidates by avoiding engagements of calumny, hate and divisiveness.

This means that instead of using hate speeches that could lead to violence and killings during voting we should see ourselves as brothers and sisters.

2. Constitution: 

Let me draw our attention to Sections 94 through 102 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and Article 3 of the Political Parties’ Code of Conduct 2013, that Political Parties, their candidates, officials and agents are expected to conduct their political activities within the ambit of the law during elections.

3. Convinction: 

We have to work towards ensuring an environment conducive for successful, peaceful, free and fair election. We have seen that we don't have to infringe on any party, this is because we have a right to convince people from various backgrounds before elections.

4. Conduct: 

We are achieving this on a daily basis.

Our candidates are already respecting the policy of INEC, for candidates and supporters to conduct themselves in an orderly manner during elections to ensure there is no breakdown of law and order, before, during and after elections.

5.Adherence

INEC has also warned political parties to adhere to laydown procedures, laws, rules, and regulations guiding political activities and elections, and also refrain from use of political thugs to disrupt voting.  Some political leaders haven't achieved this, they have to shun voilence, why should thugs be given a chance to reign? When we can simply adhere to laid down rules and cling to victory.

6. Engagement

The commission pledged its commitment to monitor political parties to ensure that they do not violate the provisions of the electoral law on its election spendings, stating that it would not hesitate to punish any breach. We have worked in line with this in our various communities. We have to continue in this spirit, we believe in the SIMPLE AGENDA so we have to achieve it by being politely dogged till the end.

7. Voters Cards is your POWER

INEC has expressed worries by the large number of unclaimed Permanent Voter Cards in the state, the commission have called for partnership with political parties in mobilizing the electorate in the state to come forward and claim their PVCs in their various wards and Registration Areas. Till date, cards are still begging to be picked up by the owners. We should believe in the system and add value.

8. Enlightenment

We have enlightened people in various communities against vote selling and buying.

INEC described this as ugly monster of vote-buying and a dreaded virus that critically corrupts the electoral process. The process has to devoid of this virus. Don't sell your future, protect your vote.

All hands must be on deck to kill this menacing viruses before it destroys good governance, national development and quality leadership, as willingly chosen by the citizens.

9. Empowment

Youths and young adults should get active to challenge every government of their electioneering promises.

10. Victory

Pursue what you believe with all your heart, when you attain victory, try protect your achievements by making yourself relevant.

While I urge those who pride in violence to sheath swords, thus, I encourage well meaning Edo people to let us push harder until we achieve our aim of having violence - free elections and good governance.