By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
To ensure free, fair and credible elections in Saturday’s Area Council Election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC is deploying six Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to compliment the efforts of the FCT REC to supervise the conduct of the election.
Also, INEC has drafted three National Commissioners to join in the delivery of a credible FCT election even as the Commission has warned that it will deal ruthlessly with INEC officials, be they ad hoc or regular staff, to ensure that they strictly abide by the rules.
This much was disclosed by INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu at the Stakeholders Meeting on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Election held at the Nigerian Air Force Conference Center, Abuja on Tuesday.
Speaking at the occasion Professor Yakubu assured the FCT residents that the Commission is ready to conduct a free and fair election by employing the use of technology especially the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System BVAS which have been found to be successful in the Isoko South Federal Constituency Bye-election and the Anambra governorship election last year.
He therefore appealed to all parties, candidates and their supporters to avoid any conduct that will disrupt the smooth conduct of the February 12 election.
According to him: “The Commission is also deploying six Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to support the REC for the FCT and three National Commissioners to supervise the conduct of the election”.
“Our eyes are on all our officials, be they ad hoc or regular staff, to ensure that they strictly abide by the rules. All parties, candidates and their supporters should do the same”.
The INEC boss also said: “In terms of grassroots democracy, FCT is a leading light in Nigeria with its regular and well-conducted Area Council elections. Each political party has the chance of winning an election in the FCT. Let the 2022 Area Council election be the beacon for a peaceful and credible 2023 General Election”.
Professor therefore said: “No one will benefit from the disruption of the process or other acts of bad behaviour. Let the voters in the FCT choose their leaders in a free, fair and peaceful contest”.
Also speaking at the event the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello praised the Commission under Professor Yakubu for continually improving the electoral processes to bring credibility to elections in Nigeria.
He assured INEC that FCTA will give it the necessary support to conduct the FCT Area Council Election on Saturday while calling on the residents of FCT especially all registered voters to troop out en masse to vote for the candidates of their choice.
Chairman of IPAC FCT Chapter, Alhaji Abdulrahman Ndagi assured INEC that the 14 registered political parties that will contest for the FCT Area Council Election on Saturday are ready to work together with the Commission to achieve free and fair election on Saturday.
In her Goodwill Message President of Market Women/Men Association of Nigeria commended INEC, saying it has contributed immensely to the democratic governance in Nigeria just as he advised politicians not see elections as do or die affairs.
The fiery Woman Activist however admonished the youths in FCT not to be used by politicians to commit electoral offences or rig elections, saying they should avoid carry sticks and dangerous weapons to intimidate citizens.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Baba Alkali assured that police as the lead security agency in the conduct of elections in Nigeria will ensure that adequate security is provided for the FCT Area Council Election.
