… warns parties, supporters not to complicate security situation
The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has warned political parties and their supporters not to complicate the security situation in the country.
Yakubu who was speaking at the backdrop of reported clashes between supporters of political parties said that their actions are against the
electoral Act, 2022 and the spirit and letter of the peace accord signed by the political parties.
Consequently, Yakubu said the commission would be convening a meeting with political party leaders next week.
Besides, he said the Commission would also be meeting with the security agencies next week as part of the efforts to ensure hitch free elections come 2023.
Yakubu, who spoke on Tuesday at the training of master trainers on election technology for the 2023 general election, expressed the Commission’s worries over reported clashes between supporters.
He therefore warned political parties and their supporters to stay clear of attacking each other.
He said, “Even as the Commission is working hard to ensure a credible process in the forthcoming elections, reports of clashes among parties and their supporters in some States of the country during the ongoing electioneering campaign is worrisome.
” Let me caution parties and their supporters to focus on issues and steer clear of attacks on each other. “These are not only violations of the Electoral Act 2022 but also negate the voluntary commitment by all political parties and candidates to the letter and spirit of the Peace Accord signed about three weeks ago under the auspices of the National Peace Committee (NPC). Parties, candidates and their supporters should not by acts of commission or omission further complicate the prevailing security situation in the country. A peaceful electioneering campaign is critical to the conduct of peaceful and credible elections.”
He also added, “In the same vein, the Commission will also meet with the security agencies under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) next week.
He also expressed worries over the reported denial of access to public facilities in some states. He said the commission will also be meeting with the leaders of the political parties to discuss on the issue.
INEC boss said, ” So too is the reported denial of access to public facilities for parties and candidates in some States of the Federation.
“The Commission will continue to monitor the situation closely and will convene a meeting with leaders of political parties next week to discuss, among the other issues, the imperative of peaceful campaigns and equal access to public facilities.”
