FCT poll: Centre for Transparency and Advocacy lists 13 flashpoints

The Centre for Transparency and Advocacy (CTA) has listed 13 flashpoints that security agents should closely monitor for Saturday’s FCT area council elections.

The Executive Director of CTA, Faith Nwadishi, at a news conference on Friday in Abuja, urged security agencies to beef up security in those areas to ensure voters exercise their franchise peacefully.

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The flash points include Karshi, Deidei, Zuma Rock, Kabusa, Gishiri, Abaji Nebu, Yangoji, Yaba, Kwali Kwaita, Mate, Azam, Kuje Pegi and Bwari.

Fourteen political parties, which will be fielding candidates for the elections, would be seeking the votes of 1,373,492 registered voters in the FCT.

The council election, which is being overseen by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), across the six FCT area councils is to fill empty seats in 68 constituencies councillorship and six chairmanships positions.

While 55 candidates are vying for the chairmanship position, 363 candidates are vying for the position of councillors.

“So far CTA commends the relatively peaceful situation prevailing in the FCT. Despite this seeming quietness, CTA urges security agencies especially the police not to let its guards down but to double efforts to nip any security breach in the bud especially as we approach election day tomorrow.

“We note that there is better coordination amongst the security personnel and the police as the lead security team have assured of adequate security and coordination across the polling units. To this effect hotlines have been released, Nwadishi said.

She also urged FCT residents to turn up en masse to cast their votes for candidates of their choice, shun vote-buying and trading as this diminishes their rights to make free choices.

She also commended INEC for its preparedness and readiness to conduct the election.