The massive deployment
of security agencies
particularly the police and
military to Anambra state
ahead of and during the
November 16
governorship elections is
more of a ploy to
intimidate voters, restrict
and prevent agents from
performing their assigned
roles rather than an
attempt to safeguard the
elections. The heavy
militarization of Anambra
state negates the very
essence and spirit of
elections in any
democracy.
When did election become
a war-like event with the
government rolling out
men and guns on the
streets?
During the campaigns and
rallies by candidates and
their parties, there was
neither violence or
bloodshed. What then is
the rational of the
government for this
unprovoked and
unjustified massive show
of force and clear
intimidation of citizens
and legitimate voters in
Anambra. The
militarization of the
streets and villages and
towns has the tendency to
intimidate any decent
voter from coming out to
vote.
No where In the world do
you find any country
practicing genuine
democracy rolling out
men and guns on the day
of Election in the guise
that they are trying to
enforce free and fair
election. In saner climes,
the security forces are
often in the background,
ready at a moments
notice to forestall any
breakdown of law and
order. In Nigeria, the
government unfortunately
has no clue about how to
safeguard democracy.
What is most important as
the people of Anambra go
to the polls is that we
must ensure results are
not written but counted
with proper verification
before any
announcements. There
must be no mutilation of
result sheets and all
agents must sign. INEC
must step up to the plate
to conduct a free and fair
election.
Anambra election, it's
conduct and outcome
signposts the success or
failure of the upcoming
2014 and 2015 elections.
And in a larger sense, the
survival of democracy in
Nigeria.
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