The National Youth Council of Nigeria, Anambra State Chapter, and the Independent Domestic Election Observers have hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting last weekend’s governorship election in Anambra State in a free and fair atmosphere. Both groups made their feelings known while addressing newsmen yesterday in Awka, the state capital.

Chairman of the National Youth Council, Comrade Frank Maduka, said the results collated so far were valid and acceptable. He called on INEC to promptly fix a date for the supplementary election in areas where the election was cancelled and declare the winner of the exercise.

Comrade Maduka described those calling for the cancellation of the entire election as inconsiderate of the collective interest of the state as it would tantamount to punishing the electorate who had hitch-free polls in their areas and waste of the huge resource sunk in the exercise.

Maduka said they monitored the election closely and that it complied with due process and laid rules, while security agents maintained law and order that provided conducive environment for voters to exercise their civic responsibilities.

He commended the youth of the state for participating actively in the exercise and demonstrating responsible and patriotic conduct by refusing to be a willing tool in the hands of politicians to orchestrate violence.

On its part, the Independent Domestic Election Observers described the election as one of the best elections ever conducted in Nigeria by INEC.

Leader of the group, Mr. Gabriel Nwambu, insisted that the election was free, fair, credible, peaceful and conformed to international best practices.

The group commended the Governor Peter Obi for non-interference in the entire process, which it said created a level playing ground.

It also commended INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega for conducting one of the freest and fairest elections in the history of the country with committed members of staff. It equally hailed the security agencies for pro-active policing during the ballot and the electorate for conducting themselves peacefully during the election.

Independent Domestic Election Observers condemned those calling for the cancellation of the election, advising the candidates to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship and sense of maturity as elections are not do-or-die affairs.

•Photo shows INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega.

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