The Transition Monitoring Group, (TMG) has urged candidates in the supplementary poll in Southern Ijaw and polling 101 units across Bayelsa to shun violence which marred the Dec. 5, 2015 election.

TMG, an election observer coalition which made the call in a statement issued by Mr Armsfree Ajanaku, Media Manager of the Non Governmental Organisation on Thursday, said it will deploy 99 election observers to monitor the poll.

Ajanaku said: “TMG calls on the political parties and the contestants to ensure the sad incidents of December 5, 2015 are not repeated come January 9, 2016.

“TMG calls on the security agencies to ensure the space is secured for the peaceful conduct of the poll on January 9, 2016.

“Above all, TMG urges eligible voters coming out to exercise their franchise in Southern Ijaw and other affected polling units, to conduct themselves with utmost decorum.”

The Dec. 5, governorship election was marred by violence which compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) to cancel the polls in Southern Ijaw LGA and declared the election inconclusive.

TMG regretted that the security agencies were unable to deal with the violence despite early indicators in its report shared with INEC, security agencies and other stakeholders.

The group said: “All these happened in spite of early warning signs from TMG Pre-Election Observation reports, which indicated a likelihood of violence in a number of Local Government Areas.

“It will be recalled that the Bayelsa governorship election of December 5, 2015 was

declared inconclusive as a result of violence that undermined the process.

“Political actors mobilised militants to do their bidding resulting in the harassment and intimidation of voters, election observers and INEC officials.

“All these happened in spite of early warning signs from TMG Pre-Election Observation reports, which indicated a likelihood of violence in a number of Local Government Areas.”

According to Ajanaku, TMG will use its 'Quick Count' election observation methodology based on well-established statistical principles and sophisticated information technologies to provide timely and accurate authentication of results declared by INEC.

“Throughout the supplementary Election Day on January 9, 2016, TMG Quick Count observers will keep an eye on the process in Southern Ijaw and other affected polling units.

“The Quick Count observers will be at their pre-assigned polling units all day to report on various processes, including set up by INEC officials, accreditation, voting, counting and

announcement of results.

“Immediately after INEC announces, TMG Quick Count will VERIFY the final result as announced by the electoral umpire. The Quick Count verification of the result will be based on impeccable data from a representative random sample of polling units.”

TMG further said that the he Quick Count data would give the electorate, political parties, voters

and other stakeholders important insights on whether the outcome of the election reflects the vote cast by the people of Bayelsa or not.

•Photo shows TMG Chairman Ibrahim Zikirul.

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