Fri Sep 20 08:11:15 UTC 2024: ## Edo Gubernatorial Election: Whillz Trust Foundation Urges INEC and Security Agencies to Ensure Credible Polls
Ahead of the Edo State gubernatorial election scheduled for September 21, 2024, the Whillz Trust Foundation has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to prioritize a free, fair, and credible electoral process.
In a statement issued on Friday, Aaron Anyamwu, Executive Director of the foundation, emphasized that a successful election would be crucial in restoring the confidence of Edo and Nigerian youth in the electoral system.
The foundation urged INEC to improve coordination with its electoral officers and transport workers to ensure timely deployment of election materials, addressing a recurring issue in past elections. They also stressed the importance of deploying only trained INEC personnel on election day, preventing past occurrences where ad hoc staff were unable to perform their duties effectively.
The foundation further recommended that INEC provide accessible materials for voters with disabilities, including braille ballot guides and magnifying glasses, and prioritize voting for persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and the elderly in accordance with INEC guidelines and the Electoral Act. They also called for real-time upload of election results from polling units to the INEC Result Viewing Portal for public transparency.
In terms of security, the Whillz Trust Foundation urged the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to provide adequate security for peaceful and credible elections. They emphasized the need for professionalism and impartiality from security personnel, advocating for the wide circulation of incident reporting hotlines and prompt responses to reports of violence or electoral offences.
The foundation also encouraged Edo youth to actively participate in the election peacefully, both before, during, and after the poll.
First Piper 