Don’t make elections do-or-die affair, EBSIEC chairman warns

Chairman, Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC), Chief Josy Eze, has warned politicians and electorate in the state not to make the April 22 council elections in the state ‘’a do-or-die affair.’’

Eze gave the warning on Tuesday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki, on the preparedness of the commission to conduct the exercise.

The chairman, who expressed the resolve of the commission to conduct a free and fair contest, also urged politicians not to turn voting arenas into theatres of war.

He stressed that the commission would not hesitate to cancel elections in areas marred by violence and voting irregularities.

“We are fully prepared and are set for the conduct of the elections. We are also promising free, fair and credible local government polls.

“The elections are barely days away and we are appealing to politicians, political parties and party supporters not to make the election a do-or-die thing.

“We are urging political parties participating in the elections to prevail on their supporters to make the elections peaceful.

“They should also confine themselves within the provisions of the electoral act 001 and the electoral guidelines.

“The commission will not hesitate to cancel elections in areas marred by violence and voting malpractices.

“Our sacred mandate is to conduct elections that will meet both local and international best standards, anchored on free contest, credibility and fairness,” he said.

He said the commission had held series of stakeholders’ meetings and concluded the screening of successful party candidates for the chairmanship and councillorship positions in the elections.