The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Imo State has urged political parties to be coordinated ahead of the election rerun in Imo North Senatorial District and some other concerned local government areas.

The new INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Imo State, Nasiru Ayilara, gave this assurance at a stakeholders’ meeting with all concerned political parties in Owerri the Imo State capital.

While assuring them of free, fair and peaceful election, Ayilara warned the political parties and contestants to pursue peace and see election as a mere contest and not a do or die affair.

He also assured all political parties and stakeholders in the state that the election in Imo North senatorial district and some other concerned local government areas in the state would be conducted without any itch or further postponement.

The REC insisted that the card reader would be used all through the election and also reiterated that accreditation and voting would go on simultaneously.

Some candidates raised subjects which they felt might be instrumental to the success or failure of the exercise especially that of security of lives and property.

In response to this, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Anthony Okpara and the Director of SSS in Imo State, Jibril Danmallam, who represented the security agencies, gave the assurance that they would play their roles in ensuring that security is beefed up during the election.

They promised that they would not tolerate any form of hooliganism or thuggery that will lead to breakdown of law and order during the election.

No specific date has been fixed yet for the election but the options of June 23 and July 31 have been given by the commission and either of these two days would be the final date for the election.

The commission has promised that the final date would be announced within one week.