Women group tasks electoral body on early distribution of materials

Ekiti ex-speaker, CODER urge restraint over polls

THE Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure timely distribution of electoral materials and early opening of polling centres in Saturday’s polls.

It also made a strong case for free, fair, credible and violent-free exercise in the country.

Speaking on its pre-election assessment findings in Abuja, its Chief Executive Officer, Muliait Fijabi, said the group has observed through its Gender and Election Watch (GEW) initiative, that Nigerians have shown enthusiasm to vote during the elections.

She charged INEC to ensure the implementation of its guidelines on priority voting to guarantee participation of women and special needs group, adding that security agents should continue to ensure that the atmosphere and election materials are delivered safely.

Also, the Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reform (CODER) has implored politicians and political parties to stop making inflammatory statements and unfounded accusations against the electoral body.

Its Executive Director, Wunmi Bewaji, who spoke at a media briefing yesterday in Lagos on its Interim Report by its Field Election Observers on the postponed election, observed that political parties were prepared for the exercise, but should refrain from making inciting statements and unfounded accusations against INEC. He urged politicians and political parties to cooperate with INEC for a free, fair and peaceful election.

However, a former Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Femi Bamisile, has appealed to stakeholders to give INEC the benefit of doubt and allow it conduct next Saturday’s elections professionally.