2019 polls: NGE condemns killings, destruction of electoral materials

The Nigerian Guild of Editors has condemned incidences of violence that characterised the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections in some parts of the country, leading to loss of lives and burning of several electoral materials.

Accordingly, the Guild tasked the Federal Government, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and politicians to live above board and avoid every action that could lead to breakdown of law and order in future elections.

Rising from its quarterly meeting of its standing committee in Lagos State over the weekend, the NGE stressed the need to address the lapses observed during the election.

In a 5-point communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the Guild charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a better exercise in future, particularly the coming governorship and State Assembly elections.

The communiqué, which was jointly signed by the NGE President, Funke Egbemode, and the Secretary General, Victoria Ibanga, called on politicians and security agencies not to intimidate the electorate during the gubernatorial elections but allow them to freely make their choices for democracy to thrive in Nigeria.

The Communique read in part: :”There is a compelling and urgent need to take steps to address the lapses observed during the elections to ensure a better exercise in future, particularly the coming Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections.

“The Guild condemns the violence that characterised the elections in many parts of the country, which led to loss of lives and burning of several electoral materials.

“Government, security agencies, INEC and politicians must live above board and avoid every action that could lead to a breakdown of law and order in future elections.

“The Guild implores aggrieved parties to follow due process in seeking redress for any perceived injustice arising from the polls.

“To ensure better organised elections in future, the new administration should, as a matter of urgency, set up machinery to carry out electoral reforms. This will guarantee a more credible and acceptable process”.