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Nigeria: Iwu - Violence'll Not Stop Kogi Guber Poll
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This Day (Lagos)
26 March 2008
Posted to the web 26 March 2008
Wole Ayodele
Lokoja
Following the incessant spate of violence being witnessed ahead of next Saturday's fresh gubernatorial election in Kogi State , Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Maurice Iwu yesterday in Lokoja disclosed that no amount of violence would halt the conduct of the election.
Prof. Iwu, who spoke at a stakeholders' meeting organized by the Commission at its state's headquarters in Lokoja further stated that the Commission would exercise the enormous powers bestowed on it by canceling the election in any senatorial district where violence is prevalent.
To stem the spate of violence and ensure a hitch-free election, the INEC boss further explained that a senior Police officer of the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police would be drafted to the state to ensure maximum security before, during and after the elections.
The Commission's Chairman also stated that the electoral materials to be used for the election was received yesterday by the Commission and would be distributed to all the various Senatorial districts in the presence of the Chief agents of all the political parties taking part in the election stressing that the ballot papers for the election is different from those used in previous elections.
Similarly, Prof. Iwu noted that the serial numbers of all the ballot papers would be made available to all the political parties in each of the three senatorial districts, adding that the Commission would also provide dedicated telephone lines to complaints from any of the political parties that feels strongly against the conduct of the election.
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He also explained that three other Resident Electoral Commissioners would be drafted to each of the three Senatorial districts in the state in its bid to ensure a hitch free election, saying the Commission has no interest in who wins the fresh election.
Enjoining the candidates to embrace peace and eschew violence, the INEC Chairman urged any of the candidates who has any cause to warrant the death of anybody to first of all commit suicide to justify his cause, adding that it is left for the politicians to conduct themselves and ensure a free, fair and violent free election.
"INEC is ready to conduct a free and fair election that would be a pride of all Nigerians. Any of the candidates who believe he has a cause that warrants the death of anybody should first of all commit suicide. Politicians should not see this election as a do or die affair and you should be ready to conduct yourselves in order to ensure a free, fair and violent free election," he said .
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