The Chairman of the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC), Dr. Ekong Edet Boco, has lauded the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) as a critical pillar in fostering sustainable democracy, emphasising its indispensable role in the electoral process.
Dr. Boco made these remarks in Calabar during a courtesy visit by the Chairman of IPAC, Cross River State Chapter, Engr. Edet Effiom, alongside members of his executive team. Dr. Boco noted that he had been eager to meet with IPAC since assuming office due to their strategic role in shaping the electoral process.
He commended both the individual and collective efforts of IPAC members in ensuring successful elections in the past and expressed optimism that the same cooperation would continue under his leadership at CROSIEC. Dr. Boco further underscored the peaceful nature of elections, urging IPAC to promote harmony during campaigns. “Election is not war; it’s simply a method for selecting our leaders, and it should be conducted in a peaceful environment with IPAC’s support as the representatives of political parties,” he said.
“I urge you to spread the message to your members as you return to the field: we don’t need to fight one another. Instead, talk to the people to support your candidate, and let the best person emerge from among us,” he added.
Dr. Boco assured the gathering that he and his team would leverage their experience to ensure a smooth conduct of the upcoming local government elections in the state, pledging to provide a level playing field for all parties. “We are responsible for conducting local government elections, and we assure you that we will do it right,” he said.
Earlier, IPAC Chairman Engr. Effiom said the visit was an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the CROSIEC leadership and reaffirm IPAC’s readiness to contribute to free, fair, credible, and peaceful elections in the state.
During an interactive session, former IPAC Chairman Comrade Anthony Bissong Attah appealed to the commission to release the election calendar, clarifying that IPAC’s goal was not to monitor the commission but to work in partnership with it. Dr. Ekpenyong Ambo, Chairman of the Local Government Affairs and Election Monitoring Committee, echoed these sentiments, pledging their readiness to collaborate with CROSIEC before, during, and after the election period.
