Stop Electoral Violence: International Groups Plead
Stop Electoral Violence: International Groups Plead
International groups have again challenged Nigerian security agencies to check growing tide of electoral violence in the country.
Electoral violence claimed lives before and during last Saturday’s National Assembly elections.
Two ex-National Youth Service Corps members died from bomb explosion at INEC premises in Suleja, Niger State. Other Nigerians were killed in explosions and shootings in Borno and Osun States - as well as other parts of the country.
Reacting to the Suleja killings, the National Youth Council has called on corps members to withdraw participation as electoral officers except adequate security and insurance are provided for them.
INEC chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega said the Commission already has insurance cover for all staff on electoral duty.
But the Commonwealth Observer Group and the National Democratic Institute warned of possible recurrence of violence during the all-important April 16 Presidential polls.
To avert this, they urged the security forces and other relevant bodies to demonstrate zero-tolerance for electoral violence by making perpetrators face the law.
Despite the pockets of violence however, Festus Mogae, Head of the Commonwealth Observer Group and former President of Botswana, said INEC took ‘important step’ with the successful conduct of the April 9 election.
