The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has lamented that “developments in the states in recent times suggest heightened tension, increased mutual fears and suspicions and predilections for violent confrontation and lawlessness, threatening lives and property of ordinary citizens.”
The group also stated that the situation is undermining the chances of having free, fair and credible elections even in the mist of the lingering covid -19 global pandemic.
The group therefore called for the establishment of the electoral offence commission so as to promptly and effectively deal with electoral offences, urging all candidates and all parties to play by the rules.
In a communique on Wednesday by TMG chairman Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, issued at the end of stakeholders meeting on “Electoral System Audit, ahead of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections, the group said it “is worried by the increasing spate of allegations and counter allegations being bandied about by the political parties and their candidates as regards the forthcoming elections in both states.”
While stating that the level of preparedness by INEC has become imperative ahead of elections in the two states, it called for the “need to place all cards on the table, offer and obtain clarification and evidence, and all work together to address them and restore normalcy to the electioneering process in both states.”
To deal with what it called formidable obstacles to the integrity of the electoral process which has bedeviled our elections in the past, the group said “operational and logistically, there is need for stakeholders to redefine their roles as political leaders and CSOs in contributing to the improvement to the electoral process.”
The TMG further suggested that INEC and security agencies should synergize to ensure that the both the political parties and the candidates play by the rules
It said, “INEC should maintain neutrality and ensured that a level play ground was provided for all and sundry before and during the elections, adding that security of lives and property should be guaranteed in as another spate of violence is disastrous and inimical to the stability of the country.”
It also called for the unbundling of INEC to be able to effectively carry out it’s function.
