Elections free of violence have been called for in the states of Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi on November 11th, 2023, by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR).
In a statement, Institute Director General Dr. Joseph Ochogwu called on all parties involved to prevent violence and bloodshed during the upcoming elections in the three states.
He pointed out that the violence in several areas throughout the campaigns stands out as a unique difficulty of the off-cycle elections.
Ochogwu also urged the major players in the elections to avoid undermining the legitimacy of the process by adhering to the regulations.
He pointed out that the Army, the Police, and other security forces have all pledged to keep the polls peaceful, and he urged “stakeholders in the election to on their part ensure that their supporters maintain peace during and after election.”
He noted that 18 political parties in Imo State have signed a peace deal to avoid bloodshed before, during, and after the governorship election on Saturday.
However, Ochogwu stressed that an agreement to cease hostilities is not a sufficient condition for peace.
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution has issued a demand for rule-based elections devoid of violence so that their legitimacy can be assured.
The major players should behave responsibly. Voting is not a life-or-death matter. You have to be alive to be in politics. Politics is never practiced in a vacuum. The main players should always keep in mind that violence leads nowhere.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate