The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Rivers State has tasked politocians to see elections as a civic duty and not as a civil war.
The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Aniedi Ikoiwak, made the call on Monday in Port Harcourt during an intereactive session with politicians and a group of mediators from the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
He said it was wrong for people to blame INEC when elections are inconclusive, reiterating that it was the duty of everyone to ensure an environment that would be conducive for a free and fair election to hold.
And stressed that “The INEC headquarters has gone ahead to set up a team to interact with us so that we can have an election that is violent-free. We must agree that election is civic duty and not a war.
“Election is not a war situation. It is an exercise where people should be allowed to decide because it is their constitutional right. That is why we must provide a conducive environment for people to votes.”
Ikoiwak disclosed that election would not be seen to be free and fair in a situation where INEC officials were forced to announce results at gunpoint, adding that stakeholders, including politicians must allow peace to reign during election periods.
He further stated that the interactive forum was organised for stakeholders to come together and agree on when the suspended rerun elections held on March 19, 2016 would be completed.
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