Monitoring Of Akoko-Edo Local Govt Re-Run Elections

CIVIL SOCIETY – NUJ EDO STATE COALITION

PRESS STATEMENT

August 16, 2009

MONITORING OF AKOKO-EDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT RE-RUN ELECTIONS

We the members of Civil Society and media in Edo State as represented by Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Civil Society-Labour Coalition (LASCO), and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State welcome the preparations thus far for a re-run election into Akoko- Edo Constituency I.

We are interested in credible electoral process as a major hallmark of democracy and ultimately good governance which are key ingredients for development.

However, we are concerned about the issues that led to the Appeal Court ordering a re-run and are interested in avoiding mistakes of the past. In the light of the above, we request the following:

1. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Edo State should put in place machinery for a credible election which is free, fair and transparent.
2. INEC should ensure that electoral materials are delivered to all polling booths on time and that voting starts and ends on schedule.
3. Law enforcement agencies should put in place adequate and impartial security network to guarantee safety of lives and property.
4.  All political parties must restrain their supporters from any form of violence and submit to transparent elections.
5. There should be no rigging, manipulations, snatching of ballot papers and boxes by any individual or group.
6. Election results should be announced immediately after collation of results to remove any doubts.

Finally, Civil Society-Edo NUJ coalition will release a report after the election.

Signed:

1. Rev. David Ugolor, Executive Director, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ).

2. Comrade Friday Obanor, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists Edo State Council.

3. Mr. Tony Erha, Secretary Labour-Civil Society Coalition (LASCO), Edo State.