The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has warned political parties and their supporters involved in Rivers re-run elections to refrain from acts capable of undermining the electoral process. This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Lambert Oparah, Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, in Abuja on Friday.
Angwe, in the statement, warned that the commission would not hesitate to seek criminal indictment, prosecution and punishment of any person or party involved in election violence.
According to him, the leaders of the political parties should ensure that their supporters are aware of the implications of causing electoral violence such as incitements, attacks and destruction of property.
The executive secretary added that perpetrators of such acts would bear criminal responsibility for their acts.
He called on the security agencies to take necessary steps to ensure that voters were protected and their fundamental freedom, including the right to choose freely was guaranteed.
Angwe decried the pattern and intensity of the pre-election campaign messages in the state, noting that it was unnecessarily heating up the political system and threatening the peace and security of the people.
While noting that the election was not a war, he said monitors would be deployed to the state during the election.
He further said the commission would not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law where it noticed infringements.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that re-run elections would be held on Saturday in the three senatorial districts, 12 federal constituencies and in the 22 state constituencies of the state. (NAN)
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