From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
A Civil Society group , the Better Community Life Initiative ( BECOLIN) has backed the United States and European Union threat of visa ban against enablers of election rigging in the Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly.
This is just as the group called on the political parties to stick to the spirit of the peace accord they signed ahead of the general polls .
The Executive Director of BECOLIN, Chibundu Uchegbu who stated this at a press conference in Owerri, yesterday said that the organisation both the US and EU should enforce the visa ban on those who are planning to rig the general polls .
He said, “To further increase the transparency of the election and mitigate the appetite of those planning to disorganize the process, we welcome the Visa ban threat United States and some European countries have issued on those who would foment troubles and tear down democratic institutions and processes.
Adding , “We support this action and encourage them to ensure that the threat is enforced to the fullest no matter who is involved” .
Continuing he said , “Political parties in the state must ensure that they give life and practical impetus to the Peace Accord they signed on 16th of February, 2023 in Owerri. Furthermore, they should advise their candidates and supporters against making inciting statements capable to jeopardize the outcome of the election.”
Mr. Uchegbu also admonished the security agencies to focus its attention in flashpoints areas across the state .
“Police and other security agencies should prioritise enforcement in LGAs identified as flash-points. Lastly, we hope to see the manifestation of 3 maximums in this election: Maximum participation of eligible voters in the polls – the youths, the elderly, the disabled, the women and people from all backgrounds provided they all have PVCs.
Maximum cooperation with the electoral body, the security agencies and other stakeholders saddled with the responsibility of making the exercise
credible.”
