The National chairman, Nigerian People’s Congress, NPC, Suleiman Akasua, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for suspending the August 18 bye-election into the Port Harcourt’s Constituency State House of Assembly.
A statement signed by NPC national chairman, he lamented that it has come to a point that Nigeria can not conduct a free and fair election.
He said the bye-election which was conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to fill the vacancy left by a former member of the State House Assembly, Mr Victor Ihunwo, was marred by widespread of violence.
According to Barrister Suleiman, the suspended bye-election was in accordance with section 26 of the Electoral Act.
The NPC chairman urged the electoral body to maintain an international best practice in the conduct of elections that would meet the aspirations of all Nigerians.
Akasua also stated that as provided in the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), INEC should ensure that all future elections in the country meet international standards and transparency or be cancelled.
The chairman enjoined INEC to ensure that in all future elections, all security personnel deployed to provide security at elections work under the control and supervision of INEC, stressing that under the 1999 Constitution (as amended), it is the sole responsibility of INEC to organise and conduct all elections.
He explained that INEC cannot share responsibilities with security personnel, adding that unlike what appeared in previous elections, security personnel took active part in the conduct and supervision of elections.
