Edo 2020: Group Tasks Parties on New Campaign Strategies.

By Simeon Osajie

Coalition for Good Governance and Justice, has called on political parties to work out new strategies of campaigns ahead of the September 19 Governorship Elections in Edo State. The group said this has become imperative following the rising cases of COVID-19 across the country.

The Convener of Coalition for Good Governance and Justice, Mr Emmanuel Umohinyang, in an interview, said the era of large rallies during the campaign was over, adding that parties and their candidates should create new and noble ways of passing their programmes to the electorate.

In May, the Independent National Electoral Commission had released guidelines for the conduct of the Edo and Ondo elections, which stated among others that where face-to-face activities become necessary, the protocols for COVID-19 prevention would be followed.

However, Umohinyang added that parties should take the step further by exploring other means of campaigning.

He said, “Political parties participating in the election, must in conjunction with INEC put in place mechanism that ensures that the current pandemic ravaging the world is check-mated before, during and after the election and this should be done in line with the guideline as released by NCDC for the election."

“Candidates should jettison the idea of gathering people in a place for the campaign. They should re-create new and noble ways of passing their programme to the people.”

He also cautioned youths against being used as thugs during and after the election.

“As we approach another gubernatorial election in Edo state, it is my view and it should be seen as such that the will of the electorates in the state prevail and for the youths, they should rise above the perennial problem of being used as political thugs to disturb the electoral process,” he added.