HURIWA demands peaceful, free, fair elections in Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) on Wednesday embarked peaceful protest to the Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding the conduct of free, fair and peaceful governorship elections in Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi states on November 11.

Members of HURIWA were at the INEC headquarters, Abuja, on Wednesday to express their concerns and demands for the November 11 governorship elections in Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi states.

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The National Coordinator of HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko, making the group’s demand before the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, in a statement, outlined their expectations and recommendations for the conduct of the elections.

The statement highlighted four key areas that HURIWA considered were essential for ensuring peaceful, free, and fair elections in the three states: transparency and accountability, security and safety, transparency in collation and announcement of results, and voter education and sensitization.

HURIWA also called on INEC to investigate the allegations that the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Imo State is the biological sister of Emma Eneukwu, the Deputy National Chairman, South East of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and to replace her if the allegations are true.

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Onwubiko declared: “We are here today to make our voice heard and to urge INEC to uphold the highest standards of electoral integrity in the upcoming elections in Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi States. These elections are critical for the consolidation of democracy and the protection of human rights in Nigeria. We demand that INEC ensures that every eligible voter can cast their ballot without fear or intimidation, and that every vote counts and is counted.

“We also urge INEC to look into the serious allegations against the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Imo State.
“We believe that such a close family relationship with a top official of one of the political parties contesting in the election poses a serious threat to the impartiality and credibility of the electoral process. We call on INEC to conduct a thorough investigation and to take appropriate action to safeguard the integrity of the election.”