Election observers accredited by the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission have pledged to collaborate with security agencies to prevent the proliferation of small arms and light weapons during the September 28 local government elections.
According to the group’s coordinator, Chris Azor, the observers will employ various strategies to ensure a violence-free and peaceful exercise.
These include pre-election environment monitoring, voter education, and awareness campaigns on the dangers of small arms proliferation, according to the PUNCH.
Azor explained that the group would also monitor potential hotspots, document incidents, and maintain a Situation Room Coordination Centre in Awka for real-time collaboration and reportage.
Over 100 observers will be deployed across the state to ensure the elections’ credibility.
The observers urged political parties and candidates to promote peaceful conduct and stakeholder engagement.
They also called on security agencies to maintain neutrality, fairness, and impartiality while preserving human rights and the rule of law.
ANSIEC has demonstrated full preparedness and commitment to the exercise’s integrity, the group noted.
With the state’s current security challenges, the observers’ efforts aim to prevent electoral violence, banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping.
The local government elections are scheduled to hold on September 28, 2024, across Anambra State.
Azor said, “There would be intentional and deliberate post-election monitoring of the environment to prevent potential violence and ensure a peaceful transition, through observation of voting centers and hotspots.
“The mechanisms have become imperative considering the present worrisome security challenges in the state and indeed the South-East region.
“Proliferation of small arms has contributed to electoral violence, banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping and sundry criminality.
“We would mobilise over 100 observers across the state, and set up a Situation Room Coordination Centre in Awka, the capital city for real time collaboration and timely reportage of activities during the exercise, for the desired result.”
“Eligible voters should exercise their franchise peacefully without any let or hindrance. We hereby, urge political parties and candidates to commit to promotion of peaceful conduct, stakeholder engagement and non-violence.
“Security agencies should maintain neutrality, fairness and impartiality while preserving human rights and rule of law,” it added
