Off-cycle elections: Group task security agencies to be non-partisan

Ahead of the governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has called on security agencies to exhibit high level of  professionalism and non-partisanship in the discharge of their duties.

A statement signed by Professor Adele Jinadu, Chairman of the CDD Election Analysis Center, said the call became necessary following incidences of violence recorded in the aforementioned states.

According to him, “There have been concerns of abuse of power of incumbency by governors instituting policies to suppress dissent and opposition party voices in their states. This trend is harmful to our democracy and associated spikes in cases of pre-election violence in these states” 

During the media briefing, Mrs Funke Baruwa Regional Officer Ford Foundation,  said Early deployment of election materials and commencement of poll should be prompt, while hoping that technological glitches observed in the February elections would be addressed.

Baruwa also emphasized on proactive communication from all electoral stakeholders to avert any form of voter apathy or suppression,

The Center urged political parties, politicians, media houses, and citizens to refrain from divisive utterances and statements that could undermine the electoral process.