Besides journalists, five thousand election observers would be monitoring the forthcoming governorship election in Imo State according to the leader of the Coalition of INEC Accredited Observers, comrade Victor Kalu.
Addressing newsmen on Thursday in Owerri, Kalu disclosed that all arrangements have been put in place for a free fair election in the State after visiting politicians and stakeholders in the State.
Although, he regretted the low level of voter’s awareness for the election in the State especially in the rural areas which he noted is caused by inadequate voter sensitization by both the political parties, stakeholders and Election Management Body (EMB) but added that it can still be improved upon before the election.
Kalu advised the security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to work in synergy for the success of the election and avoid favoring any candidate or political parties.
“This Coalition calls on the police authorities to ensure that their men and women deployed for the Imo State election exercise maximum restraint and show of utmost patriotism, by being apolitical in the conduct of their statutory responsibilities”.
Meanwhile, Kalu has assured that politicians or candidates attempting to induce the electorates would be reported to the appropriate authorities.
He said “On our own part ,as INEC accreditted independent observers ,the coalition would ensure that politicians who sponsor, fund, aide or abate violence must be reported to the law enforcement agencies and be made to face the full wrath of the law”.
While recalling the statistics of death rates during elections, Kalu appealed to politicians to avoid desperation and see public office as a place of service rather than avenues to amass wealth.
“From statistics from 2019 estimated that 626 Nigerians lost their lives die to election related violence, while 109 persons set their untimely deaths leading up to the just concluded 2023 general elections”. Kalu said.