HURIWA Demands Peaceful, Free, and Fair Elections in Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi States
Oru Leonard
A foremost civil society organization dedicated to the promotion of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has called for peaceful, free, and fair elections in Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi States.
HURIWA made the call during a peaceful protest to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja on October 25, 2023, to present their demands for the upcoming off-cycle elections in Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi States.
The protesters, led by HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, delivered a statement to the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, outlining their expectations and recommendations for the conduct of the elections.
The statement highlighted four key areas that HURIWA believes are essential for ensuring peaceful, free, and fair elections in the three states: transparency and accountability, security and safety, transparency in collation and announcement of results, and voter education and sensitization.
HURIWA also called on INEC to investigate the allegations that the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Imo State is the biological sister of Mr. Emma Eneukwu, the Deputy National Chairman, South East of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and to replace her if the allegations are true.
Comrade Onwubiko said: “We are here today to make our voice heard and to urge INEC to uphold the highest standards of electoral integrity in the upcoming elections in Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi States. These elections are critical for the consolidation of democracy and the protection of human rights in Nigeria. We demand that INEC ensures that every eligible voter can cast their ballot without fear or intimidation, and that every vote counts and is counted.”
He added: “We also urge INEC to look into the serious allegations against the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Imo State.
We believe that such a close family relationship with a top official of one of the political parties contesting in the election poses a serious threat to the impartiality and credibility of the electoral process. We call on INEC to conduct a thorough investigation and to take appropriate action to safeguard the integrity of the election.”
HURIWA appealed to INEC to take their concerns and demands into serious consideration and to work with all stakeholders to ensure that the elections are conducted peacefully, freely, and fairly.
