Security agencies in Bauchi State have been asked to check the excesses of political thugs and hoodlooms in the forthcoming governorship and state House of Assembly elections.
The call was made by the Coalition of INEC Accredited Domestic Election Observers at a Press Conference in Bauchi on Thursday.
The Press Conference was addressed by the Coalition’s team leader , Comrade Friday Maduka who called on the security agencies to “Commit more on ridding the electorates of area boys (i.e Political thugs)which could be used as a tool to terrorise and disrupt elections in the state.”
The Coalition also advocates for the provision of crowd control officers at Polling Units to ensure orderliness and control voters on queues.
It also urge INEC and all stakeholders to educate the electorates especially those in the rural areas on handling ballot papers.
“To avoid confusion on the election day, INEC should carry out adequate civic voter awareness on the use of the Card Reader and its operations.
“INEC should ensure that, her personnel especially the operators of the Card Reader Machines are adequately trained,”the Coalition urges.
The Coalition also urges political parties to train their field agents and educate them on relevant electoral laws and Code of Conduct during elections.
“Political parties should ensure a widespread of their party agents in all the Polling Units for. Effective party representation during elections.
“We recommend that those engaging in violent confrontation and negative criticism be. Apprehended and adequately handled in line with our relevant laws.”
It also commended the media for their role in the electoral process which helped in the successes recorded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the previous elections.
“Though the media have shown commitment in promoting peaceful coexistence in Nigeria, they should be more professional and objective in their reportage especially on electoral matters, as their report affect our corporate image as a nation positively or negatively.
