By  Emma Amaize

CALABAR-POLITICAL parties in Cross River State have been urged to adhere strictly to party guidelines and promote healthy competition in any contest, to allow more people participate in the exercise.

An election observer group, Project Swift Count, PSC, which observed the just concluded Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship primaries for the rescheduled April 2012 governorship election in the state, said promoting healthy competition would encourage more aspirants to participate in the process.

Speaking through a member of National Steering Committee, Mrs. Priscilla Achakpa, the group said: “Political parties should promote healthy competition in such contest. They should encourage the participation of more aspirants to provide a wide range of choices for their members. This will help promote democracy in the country.

“In future elections, guidelines for party primary elections should be strictly adhered to. For instance, if the guideline requires the provision of polling booths and transparent ballot boxes, such should be provided. This will help achieve secrecy.”