Forum Lauds INEC Over Credible,   Peaceful Conduct Of Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa Off-Cycle Guber Polls

By Chuks Eke*

The Igbo-Bu-Igbo General Forum, a collection of Igbo political leaders, has praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting the recently concluded Off-Cycle gubernatorial elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa states in a transparent, credible, and peaceful manner.

High Chief Henry Uzozie, National Leader of the l Forum, offered the commendation in a press statement published in Onitsha, Anambra State, saying that after successfully watching the polls, the forum concluded that the entire exercise was free, fair, credible, and transparent.

According to Uzozie, “On a general note, the electoral process of the three off-cycle elections were commendable and largely peaceful, adding,  though election in Imo State started on a shaky note in the early hours of the day due to palpable fears of security breaches by party thugs and fear of being attacked at the polling stations. But when the security situation was maintained the people came out in their numbers to vote for candidates of their choice”.

“In Bayelsa State, Chief Uzozie maintained election went on smoothly and was largely free and fair across the state, people trooped out in large numbers to vote under tight security atmosphere and INEC staff performed their duties creditably well”.

“While monitoring the election in Kogi State, we observed that voters came out in large numbers to vote but we condemned the election malpractices recorded in some parts of Kogi State where filled election result sheets were discovered.”.

He urged the leadership of INEC to do a proper investigation and appropriate sanctions meted out to those found culpable.

He also commended voters for conducting themselves in proper manner before during and after the elections, adding that so far no serious issues were recorded.

On the issue of vote buying by some political parties, Chief Uzozie frowned at the incidences of vote buying in some of the polling units across the states where the off-cycle election took place.

He therefore applauded the conduct of security agents who stepped up their game and conducted themselves in a more civil and professional manner that ensured peaceful elect.