Six political parties participating in the Aba North/Aba South federal constituency Bye-election have signed a peace accord with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
This is even as the electoral empire has assured of its readiness to conduct a credible election during the March 27 polls.
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The signing of the peace and good conduct agreement, which was performed at INEC State headquarters in Umuahia, was organized and supervised by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Abia State, Dr Joseph Iloh, while candidates and representatives of the six participating political parties observed.
The six participating parties in the bye election, according to the INEC REC, are PDP, APC, NRN, AA, APGA and APN.
The agreement signing was also observed by the Chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Abia, Mr Ceekay Igara, who promised on behalf of all the participating political parties to behave peacefully during the polls.
Iloh explained that the peace accord was necessary to ensure that the Bye-election which would hold in 609 polling units would be violence- free.
He charged the political parties and politicians, especially the candidates for the election, to caution their supporters against fomenting trouble during the polls but to be of good conduct.
The INEC REC further disclosed that a total of 3,297 ad hoc staff had been trained to work during the polls, assuring that every perceived bottleneck had been cleared for the success of the exercise.
“We are prepared to conduct a credible, free and fair election. The essence of this meeting involving various parties taking part in this election is to ensure that the politicians and their supporters give peace a chance on the election day.”
“On our on part, 3,297 ad hoc staff have been trained for the exercise. We have put our vehicles in order to ensure smooth movement of election materials.
“Voting will start by 8:30 and casting of vote will be done through card reader but the use of armed guards by politicians around polling centres are not allowed,” Iloh warned.
