Lucky Obukohwo ReportingÂ
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the commission is well prepared to conduct credible election during the February 25 and March 11 elections.
The INEC Edo Resident Electorial Commission (REC), Obo Effanga said this during the signing of the peace accord by political party organized by the Edo State command of the Nigeria Police force.
He said every body including the political class has a role to play in ensuring that the coming election is successful by playing by the rules.
” Some of these rules are set by the law, some are set by INEC while others set by the political parties. If we breach any of this rules, it would affect the success of the election.
“The election success depend on all of us, the people conducting the election are Nigerians, those providing logistic support, security, contesters and voters, results collators and announcers are Nigerians. If we fail in our duties and responsibility to the nation, the election stand the risk of not being successful”.
He said that the political class has a greater role to play in ensuring that the election is credible and violence free if they conduct themselves to the voters in good manner that after election there is life and Nigeria would still be our country.
“As candidates, if you didn’t win the election that doesn’t mean the world should come down because your ambition has not been achieved
He said INEC has committed resources and time for the election and needs the support of all Nigerians for a peaceful election.
In his address, the state Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Dankwara warned politicians to play by the rule as anyone who crosses the line would be dealt with no matter how highly placed the person is in the state.
“Election is not a do or die affair, we should always put it at the back of our mind that whoever wins the election is part of us and Nigeria must continue to exist.
“The political parties control their aspirants, we invite them for this peace accord to hear the dos and don’t of the election and whoever that crosses the line we would go after them no matter how highly the person is.
“For a very long time now we have been enjoying peace in Edo state, so we should not allow anyone to use us to cause crisis. Anybody who want to truncate the peace and cause breakdown of law and order would be seriously dealt with”.
He said the essence of the meeting was to enable the political parties sign peace accord, adding that he is optimistic that the election would peaceful in the state job.
The parties that signed the peace accord include All Progressives Party, Peoples Democratic Party, Action Alliance, Boot Party, Young Progressives Party, New Nigeria People’s Party among others