By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
In a bid to forestall any unforseen circumstances, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has charged security agencies to ensure a peaceful environment conducive for the successful conduct of the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo states.
INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu gave this charge in his opening remarks remark at the 2nd Quarterly Consultative Meeting with Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), in Abuja on Thursday.
Yakubu said there is need to ensure that the Edo state governorship election slated for place Saturday, September 21 2024 and the Ondo gubernatorial election scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 2024 are conducted in the atmosphere of peace.
According to him the Commission cannot overemphasize the important role of security agencies in midwifing a peaceful, free and credible election, pointing out that the Commission is looking forward to working with the security agencies without which there can’t be a peaceful election.
Said he: “the Commission is preparing for two major off-cycle Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States. The Edo State Governorship election is holding in the next four months on Saturday 21st September 2024 while the Ondo Governorship election holds in the next six months on Saturday 16th November 2024.
“There are two activities relating to the forthcoming Governorship elections that we need to draw your attention to. First is the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in the two States that will enable eligible citizens who are not registered voters to do so”.
Speaking further Yakubu said those who are already registered voters will also have the opportunity to transfer their registration from other states of the federation to Edo and Ondo States or from one location to another within the states.
“Complaints about lost or damaged voters’ cards. will be considered during the registration period. The CVR will take place simultaneously in the two States from Monday 27th May 2024 to Wednesday 5th June 2024 from 9.00am to 3.00pm daily including the weekend. During the period, uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) from previous registrations in the two States will also be available for collection by registered voters”, he said.
The CVR, he said will take place at Ward level and our state headquarters. This means that there will be 192 Ward registration centres in Edo State and 203 centres in Ondo State in addition to INEC State offices in Benin City and Akure, making a total of 397 registration centres in the two States.
Meanwhile, the INEC boss has appealed to security agencies to monitor the electioneering process with a view to preventing violent attacks or negative mobilisation by political parties.
Said he:”The Commission has published the final list of candidates for Edo following the conclusion of party primaries and the end of the period for withdrawal and substitution of candidates as provided in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election. Campaign in public by political parties commenced on Wednesday 24th April 2024 and will end at midnight on Thursday 19th September 2024 i.e. 24 hours before the date fixed for the election as provided by law.
“I urge you to keep your eyes on the electioneering process with a view to preventing violent attacks or negative mobilisation by political parties, candidates and their supporters during their campaigns. Similarly, the use of the power of incumbency to deny opposition parties and candidates access to public facilities such as Radio and Television stations, public buildings for campaigns and rallies or even outdoor advertising through the imposition of excessive fees and levies often result in the breach of the peace”. READ ALSO:
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According to Yakubu “these actions, including the mutual destruction of campaign materials and facilities, violate the provisions of Sections 91 to 97 of the Electoral Act 2022. The security agencies have a duty to ensure the enforcement of the law”.
Responding, the representive of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and Co-chair of ICCES, Director Internal Security in the Office of the NSA, Hassan .Y. Abdullahi appreciated all security agencies for their role in previous elections and challenged them to ensure they up their ante in the coming elections.
Other agencies represented at the ICCES meeting include Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Nigerian Police Force, EFCC, Nigeria Immigration Services, ICPC, NDLEA, Nigeria Customs Service, NYSC, Federal Fire Service and Nigeria Police Service Commission.
