Youths say non-violent, peaceful general elections non-negotiable

Tue, Feb 5, 2019 | By publisher


Politics

YOUTHS in Enugu say that non-violent and peaceful general elections in 2019 are non-negotiable before, during and after the polls in the state.

The youths, on Tuesday, marched peacefully through roads in Enugu metropolis to Enugu State Police Command with a big banner message of “Vote Not Fight – Election No Be War’’.

They also distributed fliers on the need for peaceful elections to the residents, with the inscriptions; “Vote Wisely’’; “Don’t Sell Your Vote’’; “Your Vote is Your Power’’ and “Youths Behave Responsibly’’.

Addressing over 100 youths at the Police Headquarters in Enugu after a five-point demand presentation, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Danmallam, said that it was heart-warming that youths wanted violence-free and peaceful elections.

Danmallam was represented by the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ebere Amaraizu.

He said that it was good that youths were talking to their fellow youths to see how the country could enshrine credible elections devoid of electoral manipulations.

“Police as the lead security agency in election security management had put all necessary machinery as well as trainings in place to ensure hitch-free elections especially in Enugu State.

“As an apolitical institution, we will ensure that we maintain and restrict ourselves to the duty of providing security and will remain non-partisan.

“We are assuring all Nigerians, especially the residents of this state of adequate security before, during and after the elections,’’ the police boss said.

The commissioner, however, assured that the command would look into the demands of the youth in details and ensure that the message gets to the various Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and unit heads.

Earlier, Enugu State Coordinator of Vote-Not-Fight Campaign, Mr Chukwuma Okenwa, said that the Vote-Not-Fight campaign “ is a non-partisan and youth-focused voter education campaign’’.

“It has been promoting constructive youth participation in Nigeria’s political and electoral processes since the 2015 general elections,’’ he said.

Okenwa said that the campaign was meant to increase youth voter turnout and mobilise against hate speech, electoral violence and vote-buying.

He said that the group’s demands from the police include: “Charge your officers to be fair to all political parties without any form of bias in the discharge of their responsibilities before, during and after the Election Day.

“Promptly arrest and prosecute all electoral offenders including political actors and elected officials without immunity.

“Provide adequate security during the voting process and do not allow ballot boxes and other election materials to be hijacked by interested members of the public.

“Train your officers to be civil and allow every voter to exercise his or her constitutional right without any form of intimidation or restriction during the election.

“Work closely with the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure a rapid response to distress calls by voters, election officials and election observers.’’

The youths, who marched for about two hours, started at Okpara Square, passed through Presidential Road, Ogui Road, Zik Avenue, Ogbete Road, Okpara Avenue Road and finally ended at the Police Headquarters in Enugu. (NAN)

– Feb. 5, 2019 @ 14:49 GMT |

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