Chairman of Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC), Mamman Eri has appealed to political parties participating in the December 12 local government elections in the state to conduct their campaigns in peaceful and orderly manner.
Eri made the appeal during a press briefing in Lokoja on Wednesday.
He urged party candidates and political stakeholders to structure their campaign on issues of general interest rather than attacks on personalities, admonishing them to embrace peace while campaigning.
He also advised political parties to use the period of the campaign to educate voters on correct voting, saying they could earn more credible votes by so doing.
According to KOSIEC election timetable, political campaigns are expected to commence on Wednesday, November 4.
Speaking on composition of candidates and gender sensitivity, the chairman said the documentation of party candidates showed that 132 out of the 1,356 candidates are females, representing 10.8 percent.
He commended political parties for being more gender sensitive, explaining that most of the parties had conceded the position of the Vice Chairman and some councillorship posts to women, while also applauding women for their courage and open participation in politics.
The Chairman assured the people of KOSIEC’s preparedness to provide a level playing ground for all political parties, urging party candidates to demonstrate same tolerance for one another before, during and after the elections.
He said SIEC would leverage on the architecture of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in providing adequate manpower and logistics to achieve its aim of conducting a free, fair and credible elections.
While reacting to the challenge that might arise from the #EndSARS protests on the elections, Eri assured the people of a peaceful outing on December 12, explaining that the protest was minimal in the state and that the commission is hopeful of a successful election.
