The Anambra State Civil Society Network has called on the Federal Government to take proactive measures aimed at forestalling violence throughout the 2019 general elections.
Chris Azor, Chairman of the Civil Society Organisation, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Awka on Thursday.
Azor said the Nigerian voter needed to confidently participate in the polls given assurances on the safety of his life before, during and after election.
He said the Federal Government should apply its superior intelligence network to nip violence and planned attacks in some parts of the country, while playing down the announcement of possible cases of violence and planned attacks.
He urged the police and other security agencies that would be on election duty to exhibit firmness and professionalism in the course of their assignment.
He said: “The Federal Government has more sources of information than any other persons or groups, we expect them to be proactive and ensure that these signs are not allowed to manifest.
“There have been warnings of possible cases of violence as we go into these crucial elections but Nigerians need the assurance that government is on top of the situation.”
He said the need for credible, free and fair elections in the light of the fact that good outcome of the forthcoming general elections is a major condition for good governance.
Azor expressed support for the use of card readers during the elections, but added that there were still issues arising from the usage.
The activist noted that card reader had not been institutionalised given the fact that results of the elections would be transmitted manually as against being electronically transmitted.
He advised registered voters go and to collect their Permanent Voter Cards so as to be able exercise their franchise during the general elections and vote for their choice candidates on February 16 and March 2, respectively.
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