Mutiu Agboke, Osun INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), made the call on Friday in Osogbo, at a meeting between INEC and candidates of various political parties with their chairmen and security chiefs, in advance of the general elections in February and March.
Mr. Agboke stated that the need for the appeal arose as a result of the commission's receipt of complaints regarding the nefarious actions of some individuals in the state.
"It has been brought to the notice of the commission that unscrupulous individuals are damaging political party billboards and posters, which is not conducive to the peaceful conduct of elections in the State.
"This conduct has induced tangible alarm in the political community.
"I would want to urge all the political parties present to cultivate a culture of tolerance and demonstrate political maturity by permitting healthy competition among themselves.
"Per adventure, these sorts of despicable acts persist, and all of our security chiefs are up to the task of arresting the perpetrator or whomever is responsible for this obscene, undemocratic display of humiliation," he added.
Mr. Agboke stated, however, that he felt the chairmen and candidates of political parties would be committed to ensuring that the general elections in 2022 would be free of intentional violations of the Electoral Act.
In February, elections will be free, credible, inclusive, and transparent, he stated, because INEC would strictly implement the law without fear or favour.
"The results of the general elections will be determined by the votes of the Osun people.
"If you want to be elected, you must solicit votes from the voters and refrain from damaging the billboards and posters of your opponents," he said.
He recommended candidates to educate their followers on the significance of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), stating that no one can participate in the election or rig the election without their PVCs, and reiterating INEC's stance of "No PVC, No Voting."
He said that INEC had extended the deadline for collecting PVCs in Registration Areas (wards) from January 15 to January 22, and that the deadline for collecting PVCs at INEC Local Government offices had been extended to January 29.
Kehinde Longe, commissioner of police for the state of Osun and co-organizer of the meeting with INEC, asked political leaders, candidates, and their supporters to enable peace to reign by adhering to the rules of politics.
Mr. Longe reassured citizens of the state's robust security infrastructure before to, during, and after general elections.
(Source: gazettengr.com)
