INEC chairman wants security beefed up ahead of Edo, Ondo elections.

Category : Politics | Author: Sunday Ntente Published on 2024-05-16 13:00:42

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, urged security agencies to keep a close eye on the electioneering process on Thursday in order to stop violent attacks and negative mobilization during campaigns by political parties, candidates, and their supporters.

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Yakubu stressed the need for security agencies to safeguard registrants, registration staff, equipment, observers, and journalists covering the Continuous Voters` Registration ahead of the upcoming Edo and Ondo governorship elections during his speech at a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security in Abuja.
While the Ondo State election is set for November 16, 2024, the Edo State gubernatorial election is slated for September 21, 2024.

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The CVR will operate concurrently in both states from Monday, May 27, to Wednesday, June 5, every day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., including holidays.
Political parties` campaigns will end at midnight on September 19, 2024, having started on April 24, 2024.
Yakubu emphasized the need for a calm and orderly process while highlighting the security agencies` duty to maintain law enforcement during the election period.
We require security protection for the registrants, registration staff, apparatus, observers, and media that will be covering the CVR exercise, he stated.

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"I implore you to monitor the electioneering process in order to stop political parties, candidates, and their supporters from inciting violent attacks or negative mobilization while they are running for office. "Similar to this, it is frequently a breach of peace when incumbent parties and candidates use their power to deny access to public spaces like radio and television stations, public buildings used for campaigns and rallies, or even outdoor advertising by imposing exorbitant fees and levies.

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"These acts contravene the provisions of Sections 91 to 97 of the Electoral Act 2022, including the mutual destruction of campaign materials and facilities. The enforcement of the legislation must be ensured by the security authorities, he declared.

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