Some aspirants for the Ndokwa Neku Union, NNU, elections billed for February 8, 2025 in Kwale, Ndokwa West local government area of Delta State, have called for a level playing ground, as they hope for the best team to emerge in a free and fair election.
The appeal by the aspirants, under the auspices of Concerned Aspirants, to the NNU Electoral Committee, and widely circulated online during the week, stems from what they expressed as their fear of government interference during the elections.
Tt assuage their concerns, the aspirants listed seven suggestions they want the NNU Electoral committee to adhere to guarantee a credible and transparent electoral process.
According to them: “We, the concerned aspirants for the NNU election, are compelled to bring to the attention of the public and the NNU Electoral Committee the disturbing news of vote-buying allegations surrounding one of the presidential aspirants, notoriously known as the “Government Candidate.”
“This individual has been accused of attempting to manipulate the Electoral Committee to facilitate vote-buying on Election Day, February 8th, 2025. While we acknowledge that we cannot prevent this aspirant from making promises, we urge the NNU Electoral Committee to guarantee a credible and transparent electoral process”, they added. .
They further stated: “To achieve this, we request that the committee implement the following measures: Uniform Voting Tools: Ensure that all delegates use the same type and colour of pen throughout the election process; Secure Voting Area: Prohibit delegates from bringing their pens, phones, or any other devices that could compromise the voting process, to the voting point; and Anonymous Ballot Casting: Prevent delegates from writing any identifying marks, numbers, or alphabets on the ballot paper (front or back).
They also suggests: “Minimize potential fraud: Ensure that the Electoral Committee prints candidates’ names along with the ballot papers to minimize potential fraud; Independent Monitoring: Employ official media houses and independent security personnel to monitor and prevent any potential invasions or disruptions, Standardized Ballot Preparation: That electoral committee should not allow delegates to be responsible in writing candidate’s name on the ballot paper; and Anti-Corruption Measures: Take all necessary steps to discourage vote-buying and prevent other corrupt practices.
“We implore the NNU Electoral Committee to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and prove to the Ndokwa Nation that they are committed to a free and fair election”, they also suggested.
