Supplementary elections: TMG warns INEC, parties, security agencies

Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) on Friday called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the supplementary elections on Saturday that it must ensure that the mistakes inherent in the earlier conducted governorship elections in the affected states are not repeated.

Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, TMG, Chairperson, in a statement on Friday also called on all political parties to refrain from any actions that will further overheat the polity or jeopardize the exercise.

It statement reads: “Security agencies, particularly the police must be reminded that their ultimate responsibility and loyalty is to the people; therefore, they must conduct themselves in a manner that will not in any way compromise the sanctity of the elections.

“As people, we must understand that nothing can be achieved in an atmosphere of violence and lawlessness; we must all work together to prevent any future violence.

“However, INEC and the police must ensure that all indicted or arrested Electoral Offenders in the last exercise are brought to justice to ensure deterrence. As a matter of urgency, TMG strictly recommends to the commission as it prepares for the supplementary elections the following:

“That its personnel indicted of any wrongdoing in the last elections are not included in the supplementary elections

“That materials are delivered on time to the affected Polling Units.

“That Voters are accredited and allowed to vote on time with due regards to the allotted start-time of voting

“That voters with genuine Permanent Voter Card (PVC) are not denied in the process

“No wilful disenfranchisement of duly registered Voters.

“We call on Nigerians to come out en mass to exercise their franchise, protect their mandate as doing so will only guarantee good governance and service delivery from the government.”