The Trade Union Congress, Rivers State Chapter has called for total transparency in the re-run legislative elections coming up tomorrow in the state.
TUC in a release signed by the Chairman, Comrade Hyginus Chika Onuegbu, eligible voters were urged to come out with their voters’ card and vote for candidates of their choice. He said the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of DSS and All Service Chiefs should provide adequate security to ensure free and fair re-run elections and more importantly that no voter, INEC personnel or accredited Election observer is intimidated, hurt or killed.
“By now we expect that the security agencies working in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should have their Election Security Strategy that cover all phases of the electoral process and aimed at protecting electoral integrity. It is important to state clearly that the greatest threat to the Rivers State re-run elections is insecurity, as many of our people are scared going by the level of insecurity in the State.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the umpire must ensure that the elections are free, fair and credible. It is important that election materials arrive early to the polling stations, so that voting and accreditation can be completed on time in line with the guidelines for the elections,” he said.
Hyginus said all the youths should shun all acts of violence and embrace peace, adding that political parties and their candidates should embrace peace and work towards safe and peaceful re-run elections in Rivers State.
“Once again, we appeal to all Rivers people especially the youths to embrace peace and shun all acts of violence. Indeed, acts of violence of whatever kind should be frowned upon by all and strictly shunned and punished collectively as it diminishes our democratic culture and whittles down the remaining collective respect we have as a people and as a State.
“We therefore urge the security agencies to be alert at all times and to guarantee safe environment for the elections to take place peacefully . The security agencies have a sacred duty to ensure no voter, INEC personnel or accredited election observer is hurt, intimidated or killed,” he said.
