The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned political aspirants, party faithful and other stakeholders against hate speeches during political campaigns.
The advice was given by Prof. Francis Ezeonu, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Imo State at a one-day town hall meeting/sensitisation visit by Imo REC and his team to Nwangele Local Government area of Imo.
Ezeonu said that the importance of a clean, violence-free and hate speech-free electoral campaign could not be overemphasised.
He said even though the time for campaigns and elections were still in view, there was the need to sensitise the Imo electorate on proper behaviour ahead of the election.
The Imo REC maintained that election should not be a do or die affair, emphasizing the need for election winners to lay aside party affiliation and embrace all other contestants for progress and development.
He gave the assurance that there would be adequate training and retraining of INEC and other adhoc staff on proper conduct, handling of machines and other sensitive materials during and after elections.
