The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure that the upcoming Edo State gubernatorial election, slated for Saturday, September 21, 2024, is conducted free, fair, and peacefully, devoid of rigging or malpractices.
HURIWA, in a statement signed and made available to reporters by Emmanuel Onwubiko on Wednesday, stated that the credibility of INEC is under scrutiny following the controversies surrounding the 2023 general elections.
The Edo election, they emphasized, offers the commission an opportunity to redeem its image under the leadership of its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
The rights group highlighted that the success of the Edo gubernatorial election would significantly impact public trust in INEC's ability to conduct credible elections. The group expressed optimism that if INEC upholds the principles of constitutionalism and ensures transparency, the controversies surrounding the 2023 general elections could be mitigated.
It is imperative that INEC not only declares its intention to conduct a free and fair election but also ensures that every step of the process is open, transparent, and devoid of manipulation. The 2023 election sins under the current leadership of INEC will be forgiven if Edo and the subsequent Ondo State elections meet the threshold of free, fair, and transparent elections," the statement read.
