The Trade Union Congress (TUC), Rivers State chapter has called for transparency in the re-run legislative elections coming up tomorrow. In a statement, TUC Chairman, Rivers State chapter, Comrade Hyginus Chika Onuegbu, urged eligible voters to come out and vote for candidates of their choice.
Onuegbu said the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of Directorate State Security and Service Chiefs of the Armed Forces should provide adequate security to ensure free and fair re-run elections, adding that no voter, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) personnel or accredited election observer should be intimidated, hurt or killed.
“By now, we expect that the security agencies working in collaboration with the INEC should have their election security strategy that cover all phases of the electoral process and aimed at protecting electoral integrity. It is important to state clearly that the greatest threat to the Rivers State re-run elections is insecurity, as many of our people are scared going by the level of insecurity in the state.
“The INEC as the umpire must ensure that the elections are free, fair and credible. It is important that election materials arrive early to the polling stations, so that voting and accreditation can be completed on time in line with the guidelines for the elections,” he said.
Onuegbu said the youth should shun violence and embrace peace, adding that political parties and their candidates should work towards safe and peaceful re-run elections.
“Once again, we appeal to all Rivers people, especially the youth to embrace peace and shun all acts of violence. Indeed, acts of violence of whatever kind should be frowned upon by all and strictly shunned and punished collectively as it diminishes our democratic culture and whittles down the remaining collective respect we have as a people and as a state,’’ he added. The Nation
