Ahead of November 2, local government council elections in Cross River State, Inter-party party Advisory Council IPAC Monday kick-started sensitization of voters to enable that there is free and fair conduct of forthcoming local elections.
At the flag- office ceremony which took place at the millennium Park eleven, eleven round about Calabar, the Cross River State capital with various political parties, IPAC chairman Engr Effiom Edet Okon, Urged residents of the state not to engage in elections rigging, political violence, thuggery and acts that will be inimical to the development of the State and nation at large.
The IPAC stressed that no country succeeds with the wrong individuals elevated to places of authority, or leaders that who come to power via an electoral process that is mares by irregularities.
He warned that as a group who believes in the truth and who advocates for the right thing to be done, it won’t tolerate thuggery, rigging nor electoral violence.
“Election is not a do or die affair, local government council elections which is to be conducted by November cannot be a so or die affair.
“We are taking this sensitization and campaign against violence and thuggery across the three Senatorial districts of the state to educate our people on the subject matter.
“We are here to educate the our people on the consequences of engaging in rigging and political violence. Once you rig, you deprive the people opportunity of choosing the right people to lead.
“We are asking residents of the state to come out enmass to cast their vote on candidates of thier choices for the local government elections.
“This is why we decided to flag off this sensitization exercise to let our people know that Electorates should not feel intimidated on that day,but to come out and vote candidates of thier choices. Candidate whom they know will attract development to the grass root”. IPAC Chair stated