INEC Calls For Peace As Osun Election Nears

The Independent National Electoral Commission has called on stakeholders in the Osun political scene to shun violence during the forthcoming gubernatorial elections, as it commences distribution of voters’ cards.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the gubernatorial poll is scheduled to hold on August 9.
The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Rufus Akeju, made the call on Thursday in Osogbo while fielding questions on the issuance of voters’ cards.
Akeju, said that the commission has zero tolerance for violence, and called on politicians and party supporters to make peace their watchword before, during and after the election.
He said, “Where there is violence, there is no democracy, and this is why peace must be allowed to reign for the election to be free and fair.”
He advised politicians to educate their supporters on how to vote in order to reduce the number of void votes, even as he warned against all forms of electoral misconduct.
Akeju said that democratic government is normally through the ballot box, allowing the electorate to choose whoever they wanted to lead them.
On voters’ card, Akeju urged the people to follow procedure, stressing that those who lost their cards could come with a nationally recognised identity card for identification.
PUNCH