The Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the security agencies and other organisations involved in the 2023 elections, not to let the people down, as the country is at the threshold of another democratic transition of government, with Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, February 25, and Governorship and States Houses of Assembly polls slated for March 11.
In a communique signed by its President, Mustapha Isah and the General Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, at the end of its Standing Committee in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital at the weekend, the body of Editors in Nigeria said that Nigerians desire that their votes will count and are expectant of free, fair and credible elections, devoid of violence.
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The Editors who expressed confidence in the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, also urged the electoral body to ensure that the devices are in top shape, to perform optimally and actualise the intended purpose during the elections.
They also called on the electoral body to ensure the secrecy of ballots by ensuring that its cubicles are well positioned to achieve this and cameras are kept away by voters while voting.
The Guild noted the important role of the security agencies in achieving free, fair and credible elections, urging them to be unbiased and ensure that voters are able to exercise their franchise freely in a peaceful atmosphere devoid of intimidation.
They also urged the security agencies to be on the lookout for vote buyers with a view to apprehending and prosecuting offenders and advised them to provide adequate security for electoral officials and materials.
The Guild also noted the current challenges over the cashless policy and advised the government, especially the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to address all challenges capable of affecting the conduct of the general elections.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
