The Coalition of Election Observers has urged the National Assembly to empower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to sanction any political party that boycott elections.
The call was coming as majority of the political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have decided not to participate in the Dec. 4 local government elections in Ekiti.
The accredited Domestic Civil Society Election Observers for Ekiti Local Government elections, on Thursday addressed journalists in Ado- Ekiti.
The observers described the boycott of elections by some of the political parties as an act of sabotage.
Leader of the team, Mr Victor Kalu, said: “It is surprising that the opposition parties will be staying away from local government elections after requesting for it, on the fear that the process is already predetermined.
“If a political party boycotts an election, it is like going on hunger strike, which someone has no reason to do.
“Rather than boycotting, they should use local government elections to test their strength. If any party boycotts election, there should be sanction.
“We are making our recommendations to the National Assembly on the need to spell out punitive measures in our Electoral Act to correct this.
“Election is not a do or die affair, politicians should, therefore, approach these elections with high level of civility and patriotism.
“They should see themselves as part of the society they want to lead and, therefore, must not destroy it with their ambition to rule or lead by all means.
“Traditional rulers should be neutral, unbiased and independent, even as they exercise their rights to vote for a candidate of their choice as an individual, not as an institution.
“They should desist from anointing candidates and coersing their subjects to toe their line of choice.”
He promised that the observers would monitor the elections painstakingly and come up with unbiased reports that would help in strengthening the electoral process.
Kalu appealed to Justice Jide Aladejana-led Electoral Commission in Ekiti to provide a level playing ground for the six political parties that would participate in the polls.
“To avoid voter apathy during the election, the observers tasked the political parties to mobilise voters for the election and elucidate the reasons why they must exercise their franchise.”
The coalition commended the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC), security agencies, political parties, voters and traditional institution for their readiness to participate and ensure success of the poll on Saturday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Chairman of SIEC had listed political parties participating in the Saturday poll to include: Action Alliance (AA), African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress(APC), Peoples Redemption Movement (PRM), and Young Progressives Party (YPP). (NAN)
