Civil Society groups, Civic Forum Initiative (CFI) and the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) have condemned the pockets of violence which marred the special voting exercise on Thursday December 1, and Sunday December 4, 2016. There were reported altercations between some angry security service personnel and officials of the Electoral Commission when they could not find their names in the register.

The two groups have condemned the violence, urging the personnel to be professional in all their engagements on the elections. “The CFI and IDEG, however, note with regret the reported altercation between the EC officials and the Security personnel who had gone to vote.

A high standard of professionalism and efficiency of EC officials and the security agencies are critical in the conduct of peaceful and credible elections.” In a statement signed by Chairman of the Civic Forum Initiative, Major General Nii Carl Coleman (retired), the groups called on security service personnel to be professional in their dealings. “While it is important that we all remain vigilant, we should also be circumspect in our actions and utterances in other not to raise tension and cause panic and alarm among the electorate.”

Find the full statement here

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