BY UKET OKA, Calabar
The Chairman of the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC), Dr. Ekong Edet Boco, has described the State chapter of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) as a critical pillar in fostering sustainable democracy.
Dr. Boco made the assertion recently in his office in Calabar whe a the Chairman of IPAC, Cross River State Chapter, Engr. Edet Effiom, les members of his executive on a courtesy visit on the CROSIEC Chairman in his office in Calabar, the state capital.
Dr. Boco also emphasised the indispensable role of IPAC in the electoral process, stressing that, he had been eager to meet with IPAC since assuming office due to their strategic role in shaping the electoral process.
He commended both the individual and collective efforts of IPAC members in ensuring successful elections in the past and expressed optimism that the same cooperation would be extended to his leadership at CROSIEC.
The CROSIEC Chairman, who further underscored the peaceful nature of elections urged IPAC to promote harmony during campaigns.
“Election is not war; it’s simply a method for selecting our leaders, and it should be conducted in a peaceful environment with IPAC’s support as the representatives of political parties,” Dr. Boco said.
“I urge you to spread the message to your members as you return to the field: we don’t need to fight one another. Instead, talk to the people to support your candidate, and let the best person emerge from among us,” he added.
Dr. Boco also assured them that he and his team would leverage their experience to ensure a smooth conduct of the upcoming local government elections in the state, and pledged to provide a level playing field for all parties.
“We are responsible for conducting local government elections, and we assure you that we will do it right,” he said.
Earlier, IPAC Chairman, Engr. Effiom said the visit was an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the CROSIEC leadership and reaffirm IPAC’s readiness to contribute to free, fair, credible, and peaceful elections in the State.
In his remarks, former IPAC Chairman Comrade Anthony Bissong Attah, appealed to CROSIEC to release the election time table, noting that, IPAC’s goal was not to monitor the commission but to work in partnership with it.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Cross River State Local Government Affairs and Election Monitoring Committee, Dr. Ekpenyong Ambo, pledged their readiness to collaborate with CROSIEC before, during, and after the election period.
