Edo Election: CDD Warns APC, PDP, Others Ahead Of Polls

Ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State, the Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, has urged political parties including APC and PDP, to engage in issue-based campaigns.

CDD also urged the political parties to shun activities which may potentially incite violence among members and opponents alike.

In a statement signed by Yusuf Shamsudeen, Principal Programmes Officer of CDD, on Friday, the Centre also advised all the political parties to agree to sign a peace treaty ahead of the polls after a civil society organisations (CSOs) round-table on the 2020 off-cycle governorship election in the state.

The statement reads partly: “Strict measures should be put in place to ensure full compliance of voters, ad-hoc staff and other actors in the election.

“These include the use of PPE materials, social distancing, infrared thermometers, and the provision of on-site health officials to inspect persons who display any symptoms of COVID-19.”

CDD also called on INEC to communicate frequently and in a sustained manner, with relevant stakeholders (including traditional rulers, CSOs, political parties, etc.) on any matter relating to the preparations for the forthcoming election.

“Such public statements could deepen the tensions that already characterise the election,” the statement added.

The Centre also urged security agencies (particularly the Police) to hold perpetrators of the ongoing pre-election violence accountable as a necessary condition to encourage participation in the election.