Ahead of Saturday’s Governorship election in Edo State, Yiaga Africa, a civil society organization, has called on security agencies to ensure transparency and timeliness in the payment of and the provision of welfare packages for security personnel deployed before the election.
DAILY POST reports that Cynthia Mbamalu, Director of Programs, Yiaga Africa, made the call at an engagement with media and civil society organisations in Benin City.
Mbamalu said there was a need for uniformity in payment for security personnel of the same cadre across each of the different security agencies deployed for the election.
She also urged that the security agencies deployed for elections should be adequately trained and operate with a sense of responsibility, professionalism, and neutrality.
“Yiaga Africa calls on all political parties to engage in issue-based campaigns and shun luring voters with unsustainable gifts that would not lead to the economic development of the state.
“Political parties and candidates should disengage themselves from encouraging thuggery and cultism through monetary gifts during campaigns as it encourages violence.
“Political parties should adhere to their commitment to the Peace Accord and promote peaceful participation of their supporters in the election”, she said.
She also urged media organisations to ensure fair coverage of all the candidates/parties contesting in the election without bias or prejudice.
The organisation, however, called on the Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, to continue to engage in get-out-the-vote campaigns to mobilise citizens to participate in the electoral process.
“Specifically, they should engage more in targeted campaigns to increase the participation of women, youths and People With Disabilities, PWDs”, she added.
Edo Guber: Yiaga Africa urges prompt payment of security personnel