Guber/House Assembly : CLO condemns killings, ballot box snatching, intimidation

Guber/House Assembly : CLO condemns killings, ballot box snatching, intimidation 

By Chinwe Nwacha, Onitsha

The Anambra State chapter of Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, Monday, in Onitsha, condemned with great disdain the despicable killings, ballot box snatching, violence, intimidation, voter apathy and vote buying that characterized  the conduct of the governorship and House of Assembly elections. 

Making the condemnation, its chairman, Evangelist comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, and secretary, Chidi MBA, described the situation  as very unfortunate and detestable, stating that voters turned out more during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

 They attributed the low turnout recorded during governorship and House of Assembly elections to the loss of trust, confidence and faith majority of the electorate has on the electoral umpire.

 "The electorate believe that their votes will never be counted by INEC and  we urge INEC to redeem itself and the electoral system by ensuring sanctity and sacredness of the ballot box," they hinted.

In a press release themed ,"justice could only be served until unaffected are as outraged as those affected," the duo condemned in strong terms, monetization and commercialization of the electoral system in which victory goes to the highest bidder, to the detriment of the masses.

"Transactional politics is a great threat to democracy, good governance and socio-economic development. The true heroes of our democracy are the electorate and INEC officials that reject monetary inducements and stand for what is right, fair, just and laudable.

 "The task to transform and rescue our country should be collective and collaborative efforts of all stakeholders. We equally berated politicians that deployed hoodlums to destroy, kill and disrupt elections and snatch ballot boxes in their opponents stronghold. 

"Such people should be banned 10 years from contesting election or holding public offices. We equally appeal to INEC to use governorship and House of Assembly elections to restore people's confidence as well as redeem her image that is at stake," the duo pleaded.

They however commended the  patriotism and humanitarian disposition of Labour Party House of Assembly candidate for Onitsha South 2, Jude Umennajiego, who rushed to the hospital, a pregnant voter, Mrs Ngozi Nwaoha, who was wounded when the hoodlums came to snatch ballot box at Odoakpu.