FCT election: ADC kicks over movement restrictions before voting day
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised concerns over what it described as a move to suppress voter turnout ahead of Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) elections, following the declaration
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised concerns over what it described as a move to suppress voter turnout ahead of Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) elections, following the declaration of a curfew in Abuja.
In a statement on Friday by its national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party expressed concern over government’s declaration of "premature curfew" in Abuja ahead of the elections.
The party alleged that the decision to impose restrictions on movement a day before the election could affect participation in the exercise.
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“While some restrictions on movements on election day may be justified, the conventional practice is for such restrictions to commence at midnight on election day.
"We are therefore concerned by the decision of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike to impose a curfew on the FCT from 8pm on Friday,” the party said.
The ADC said it was registering strong objections to the premature restrictions on movement, adding that elections must be conducted in an atmosphere that is not only safe but also visibly free and open to all eligible voters.
According to the party, residents of Abuja should be able to travel safely to their polling units, remain there until the voting process is concluded, and return home “without fear of harassment, obstruction, or arbitrary restriction of movement.”
