The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Plateau has stated that imposition of candidates by political parties is one of the greatest challenges in present day democracy.

The resident electoral commissioner of the state, Mr Habu Zarma said so in a meeting between community, religious and ethnic leaders held at the Dialogue, Reconciliation and Peace (DAREP) centre in Jos.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Plateau has stated that imposition of candidates by political parties is one of the greatest challenges in present day democracy.

The resident electoral commissioner of the state, Mr Habu Zarma said so in a meeting between community, religious and ethnic leaders held at the Dialogue, Reconciliation and Peace (DAREP) centre in Jos.

Zarma said elections will be successful without rigging if internal democracy is practiced at party level. He also spoke against imposition of candidates which usually leads to party doing all within their means which sometimes include rigging to get victory.

The electoral commissioner called on leaders at all levels to work towards a non-violent elections and continuous sustenance of peace. He said that INEC will partner with them to ensure that the general elections were hitch free.

The Catholic Archbishop of Jos, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama voiced out his disappointment at the inability of the parties to show up at the meeting. He said that the parties don’t seem to take meeting which was centred on peace seriously.

Kaigama called on communities to be watchful and proactive about security around them as the electoral processes commences. The Archbishop said that security is a collective effort of all and condoled people of the state over the recent bomb blast in Jos. He prayed that God touches the heart of those responsible for the deadly acts.

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Imposition of candidates is setback to democracy – Plateau INEC commissioner