Manipulation of religion, ethnicity causes election violence in Adamawa – Stakeholders

Manipulation of religion, ethnicity causes election violence in Adamawa – Stakeholders
By Yakubu Uba
Violence
Yola, Sept. 21, 2018 (NAN) Stakeholders in Adamawa have identified manipulation of religion, ethnicity and other primordial fault lines as some of the factors responsible for election violence in the state.
The stakeholders, comprising representatives of INEC, political parties, CSOs, media and People Living With Disabilities, made this known on Friday in Yola in a communiqué.
The communique was issued at the end of a workshop on Consensus Building on Election Violence Mitigation, organised by the U.S. based International Republican Institute (IRI) under its Responsive Political Party Programme.
Other factors identified as causes of election violence include lack of internal party democracy, rigging, hate speech, fake news and abuse of electoral laws.
The stakeholders also listed Election Day challenges like late arrival of election materials, late declaration of results as well as undue impatience on the part of political parties, candidates, their supporters and sympathisers.
They called for internal democracy by political parties and the need for relevant stakeholders to embark on concerted efforts at sensitisation and political education.
They also urged the media to be sensitive and responsible in their reportage of political activities.
“Regulatory bodies such as NBC and the Nigerian Press Council must be alive to their responsibilities and sanction any erring media house or journalist who violates the law.
“INEC and security agencies must ensure that conduct of elections are free and fair.
“Politicians should educate their supporters that election is not a do or die affair.
“Civil society, women and youth groups should embark on a concerted campaign on election violence,” the communique said. (NAN)
YMU/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola