By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Determined to conduct a free, fair and credible election during the forthcoming Edo state governorship poll, the Independent National Electroal Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu has urged leaders of political parties of their obligation to submit the list of its agents by uploading the required information, including photographs, to the dedicated Commission’s portal.
He made this call in his speech at the 3rd Regular Quarterly Consultative Meeting of the Political Parties for the 2024 Edo and Ondo states governorship elections in Abuja on Monday.
Yakubu stated that this requirement is listed as item 9 on the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election released by the Commission nearly a year ago on 26th September 2023, is wondering why some political parties are yet to comply with the requirements.
The INEC Chairman however disclosed that as at yesterday, Sunday 28th July 2024, 14 political parties have uploaded the details of 38,354 polling agents and 819 collation agents for the Edo state governorship election.
He also confirmed that three political parties are yet to upload a single polling agent while five parties have not uploaded a single agent for Ward, Local Government and State collation centers as at last Sunday, pointing out that the deadline for the exercise will end tomorrow Tuesday, July 30, 2024 when the portal automatically shuts down at midnight.
Yakubu urged political parties to ensure that the meet the deadline so that the Commission can produce the accreditation tags and deliver them to you for distribution to your agents in good time.
Prof Yakubu also informed that the campaign by political parties and candidates is in full swing in both Edo and Ondo states and would soon announce the dates for the bye-elections.
He said this is the time for party leaders to demonstrate compliance with the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022, especially the aspect dealing with rallies, processions and campaigns already available on our website.
“As a reminder, however, hard copies of the document have been included in your folders for this meeting. The campaign period has often been characterised by acrimony and tension.
“Sadly, it is also a period of verbal abuse and physical confrontation among parties, candidates and their supporters. The Commission finds the recent event in Edo State resulting in the death of a security personnel worrisome.
“Happily, there has been no incident known to the Commission since then. Nevertheless, the Commission will meet with the security agencies under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
“I want to assure you that security in Edo and Ondo will be a major issue for discussion at the meeting.
“We are as concerned about the safety of your candidates, agents and supporters as we are about the security of our own officials, observers, journalists, service providers and, above all, the voters. READ ALSO:
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Meanwhile, the National Chairman, Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Alhaji Yusuf Mamman Dantalle has promised the body’s unwavering quest for electoral integrity, sanctity of the ballot box and respect to the will and mandate of the people, political stability and well-being of Nigerians.
Dantalle who was responding to INEC Chairman’s speech said IPAC strongly advocates for the establishment of the Electoral Offences Commission to prosecute electoral offenders to serve as a deterrent to others who may want to tow this path of dishonour.
Said he : “IPAC urged citizens to close ranks, land imbibe issue-based campaigns and participate in making the elections transparent and accept the will of the people expressed in their votes”.
According to him, the era of do-or-die politics and vote trading is over, noting that as INEC continues to improve on its various technologies that will enhance electoral integrity, Nigeria will regain its past glory as the great arsenal of democracy in Africa.
He express it’s faith and unalloyed commitment in the democratic process and commended INEC in organizing quarterly consultative meetings, which provide the Commission and political parties the opportunity to discuss, strategize and chart the way forward for sustainable democracy in Nigeria.
