The Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), a Non-governmental organisation committed to advancing democratic integrity, Saturday morning, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to maintain neutrality and professionalism throughout the conduct of Anambra State Governorship poll.

The Executive Director, KDI, Mr Bukola Idowu, who gave the advice at a pre-election press conference and stakeholders engagement held in Awka, Anambra State capital, explained that late arrival of materials and commencement of voting, incompetence of INEC ad-hoc staff and BVAS malfunctioning could mar the election and heightened the low voters turnout.

Idowu also expressed concern over the conclusion of training for the INEC ad-hoc staff two days to the poll without no time for refreshers course and deployment of more security officers to the state, urged the stakeholders to ensure that the development would not affect the outcome of election.

“KDI expects a largely peaceful election but emphasises that the credibility of the process will depend on timely deployment, transparent procedures, and restraints by political actors and their supporters. We call on eligible voters to come out peacefully, exercise their civic rights and resist any attempt to disrupt the process or sell their votes,” he stated.

He further maintained that the organisation under its Strengthening Electoral Accountability Project (SEAP) supported by the FCDO/PACO programme, monitored the electoral environment in Anambra State, trained and deployed observers across the polling units through its NEVER project.