Ahead of the October 5th local government election in Rivers State, the Rivers Civil Society Organisation (RIVSCO) has called on the State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to ensure a level playing ground for all parties.
At a news briefing in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Chairman of the group, Enefaa Georgewill said it behoves RSIEC to justify that it is truly independent by delivering a free and fair election that would meet international best practices.
The RIVSCO Chairman further challenged the security agencies to be professional in the discharge of their responsibilities before, during and after the election.
George will criticise the Action People’s Party (APP) method used in picking candidates for the forthcoming local government election, saying it is akin to imposition.
He maintained that the only democratic process for choosing candidates in any election is by free and fair primaries, where party members would freely elect their candidates.
The RIVSCO chairman insisted that APP did not tread that path, even as he frowned at what he called little or no campaigns by the political parties and their candidates a few days before the council polls.
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He advised the electorate to vote out any candidate that did not make his vision public in line with his party’s manifesto.
George will said: “We call on political parties and their candidates contesting the forthcoming local government election in Rivers State to sell their manifestos to the people through vigorous campaigns, while we urge the electorate to vote out any candidate that refuses to make public his vision, in line with his party’s ideology,”
He enlisted the support of the public to ensure a free and fair election come 5th October 2024.
On his part, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the group, Tuka Loyane appealed to RSIEC to set up an Electoral Panel to address post-election issues.
