Forum Calls For Credible, Violent- Free Local Govt Election In Kaduna

NEWSDAILYNIGERIA- The Community Initiatives to promote Peace (CIPP), In collaboration with her Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC) structures has called on all Stakeholders in the Saturday local government elections in Kaduna State to ensure that it is violent free, fair and credible.

The forum at the end of a strategic meeting on the need for a peaceful conduct of elections charged the state electoral body to ensure that the election is free, fair and credible, so as to give legitimacy to those who will be elected, adding that, it will also go a long way to douse tension of any sort

The group further maintained that Religious, traditional, political actors and citizens also have a role to play in ensuring that violence of any kind is avoided and reported to the constituted authorities for swift action.

In a Statement signed by Mal. Abdullahi Mohammed, (IMC)
Rev. Michael Ikpa:(CPAN) Mal. Rilwanu Mohammed (CMMRC) and Mr. Terngu Gwar, (NHRC) and made available to Newsmen on Friday, the participants further urged the State electoral umpire, (Kad- Siecom) to ensure that election materials reach their respective locations at the stipulated time among other things.

” The Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) program made up of structures working in preventing conflicts; such as the Conflict Mitigation and Management Regional Council (CMMRC), Community Peace Observers (CPOs), Community Peace Action Network (CPAN), Forum with Media on Peace Journalism in collaboration with the Kaduna Peace Commission (KAPECOM), Pastoral Resolve (PARE) and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) calls for Calm during the 23 Local Government Areas elections in Kaduna State, coming up on Saturday 4th August, 2021.

” The press release is deemed appropriate at these critical times in the history of Kaduna State; seeing reactions of heated political tension in some local government areas of the State within the past few months.

” We are however positive that the political parties, traditional, religious leaders/institutions, followers and members of the society can be instrumental in the prevention of electoral related violence; by being proactive to educate and appeal to their membership on non-violent electoral processes through a commitment that ensures for people’s Rights to exercise their franchise in the democratic settings.

” The members present today urged all parties to continue to reject violence of any kind, exercise maximum restraint in their actions and statements by refraining from provocations such as violence and violent speeches and to address their differences peacefully.

The forum called on the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission, (KADSIECOM) should as a matter of urgency, ensure that electoral materials arrived polling units on time to avoid tension and suspicion.

” We urged the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission, (KADSIECOM), to ensure that the elections is free, fair and credible; and to ensure that the elections take place within the requisite conditions of transparency and credibility, including the full and effective participation of eligible voters at all stages.

” We call on the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission, (KADSIECOM), to accord special consideration for People Living with Disability (PLWDs) as they come out to exercise their Civic Rights during the elections.

” Citizens should only fact-checked social media elections results from the Electoral umpire (KADSIECOM)..Citizens should be on alert by reporting any suspicious activities to the security agencies before, during and after the elections.

” We call on the citizens in the State to remain calm and peaceful; as we equally called on all the political parties to disseminate the message of peace to all their supporters.

” The media should endeavor to disseminate information that doesn’t incite tension among citizens; and report in the best interest that portrays professionalism.

” Our traditional and religious leaders should use their positions of influence to educate their followers and on the need for peace during and after the elections.

” The youth should be a symbol of peace and support the electoral processes to ensure that the elections are conducted peacefully.
The security agencies are instrumental for a safe conducts at the polls and calling on them to have synergy among other security agencies and the people should cooperate with them to ensure that elections is free, fair and credible.

” We call all the electorates to observe the Covid-19 protocols in the polling units for the safety of all.

” We hope that this election will be conducted in the best interest of all the Citizens of Kaduna State.” the statement added