2017: Make sure Anambra election is conclusive, transparent, lawmaker urges INEC

SENATOR Suliamam Nasir has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to ensure transparency and credibility in the conduct of November 18 Anambra governorship election. He also counseled the electoral umpire against conducting an inconclusive election. The legislator told the Newsmen at INEC headquarters in Awka on Friday that credibility of the election would serve as litmus test for the 2019 general elections. Nasir, who is the Senate Committee Chairman on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stated this during an inspection tour to the State in preparation for next week Saturday Governorship election.

The senator, who led other members of the committee, Sen Mao Ohuabunwa, Sen Aliu Sabi among others, urged INEC to ensure level playing ground for all the political parties contesting the poll. He also urged the commission to conduct the election in such a way that the outcome would be acceptable to all. He appealed to politicians not to see the election as “do-or-die affair,’’ saying that their conduct and utterances before, during and after the poll should be guided by democratic principles.

He said: “I want the leadership of INEC to ensure that Anambra governorship election is conclusive, free, fair and credible. “The commission should be neutral so that the outcome of the election is acceptable to all. “All the political gladiators in the election should allow peace to reign during and after the election.” Sen Nasir called on the electorate to go out enmass and cast their votes for their preferred candidate and urged them not to engage in any action that would put them into trouble. The lawmaker urged security operatives to ensure a peaceful atmosphere during and after the election, adding that their presence was important to the successful outcome of the poll.