In less than 72 hours to the presidential elections, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and the Election Analysis Centre (EAC) , has called on the need to review security plans for volatile states such as Borno, Yobe , Adamawa and Zamfara states.
The group while briefing newsmen in Abuja on Thursday , the Chairman CDD EAC Prof Adele Jinadu said while it matters that security is provided during the election , it is equally important that the authorities responsible are careful and do not unduly deploy excessive security during polls that might frighten votes and depress voting numbers,
He said INEC and all relevant stakeholders must engage in voter mobilisation to stave off apathy
He also said INEC should increase its confidence-building measures particularly at the state levels
INEC should increase its confidence-building measures particularly at the state levels
Also, member of CDD, EAC Olajumoke Jacob-Haliso said civil society organisations and media to remain vigilant and without partisanship observe all deployment processes, monitor all aspects of the polling from opening to the collation phases.
“We call on INEC to demonstrate to Nigerians and the world that it is indeed ready to conduct free, fair and credible elections on 23rd February 2019 for the Presidential and National Assembly Elections and 9th March 2019 for the Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections.
“ INEC must immediately address concerns that certain sensitive materials which had already been deployed in various parts of the country ahead of the new dates been fully secured?
“Have materials sent to the wrong States been retrieved and sent to the appropriate States? Has INEC taken advantage of the extra time provided by the postponement of the elections to rapidly and robustly address all weaknesses in project management, logistics management and public communication that were apparent as of last week,” she said .
