By Favour Afunanya
A feminist and human rights organisation, Alliances for Africa, AfA has called on eligible voters in Imo state to resist attempt that would truncate the tomorrow's governorship election in the state.
The group also urged the electorate on active participation during the poll, saying, "every patriotic voter should participate in this election. That will help to ensure that only the right and credible candidate is elected to pilot the affairs of the state as governor for the next four years."
AfA Executive Director, Ms. Iheoma Obibi made the call while briefing newsmen on the expectations of the group from the Imo electorate regarding the election.
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Obibi further appealed to all the election stakeholders including the security agencies, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, political parties, their candidates and agents, the media and election observers as well as the electorate to work together towards achieving a peaceful and credible election.
According to her, "every election is crucial because the outcome greatly determines the future and fate of the citizens. And in this Imo governorship election, we expect that all eligible voters should endeavour to participate.
"We encourage them to come out enmass to cast their votes without any fear because the security agencies have assured us of our safety and we are confident that the exercise will be transparent, credible and violence-free.
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"It is only by our active participation that we will be able to elect the next governor of our choice who we believe will guarantee our collective well-being and development through the provision of good governance and quality leadership for the people."
She further said, "We also expect the voters to resist attempt to compromise the process or manipulate their votes. They must stand for their right and ensure that their mandate is not diverted.
"They should also corporate with the security operatives and INEC officials in ensuring that their votes are protected and would count."
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She continued, "More so, election like this affords the people a golden opportunity to decide their future because who we vote as governor contribute greatly to what our future and that of our children and dependants will look like.
"We are also counting on the police, other security agencies and INEC to live to their words of assurances. We pray and hope that through our commitment and determination, this election will meet our collective expectation." she added
And on the part of the voters, Obibi advised, "they should conduct themselves in a manner that promotes peace, rancour free, fair and transparent exercise. Already no body is expected to indulge in violence, vote selling or buying, ballot snatching or in other forms of election malpractice."
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