The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will not condone any form of electoral violence in the Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states governorship Elections scheduled for November 11, 2023.
The commission urged security agencies to take decisive action against perpetrators of election violence.
Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, made the call during a consultative meeting of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), held in Abuja.
Yakubu noted with dismay the prevailing insecurity in the States fueled by political actors and their supporters since the commencement of campaigns in public on 14th July 2023.
He called on the political parties to shun the negative mobilization of their supporters and other activities capable of compromising security in the three states.
He said, “The three states of Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi are not the easiest states in Nigeria to conduct elections, adding “the difficult geographical terrain and prevailing insecurity are compounded by negative mobilisation by political actors, especially, since the commencement of the campaign in public on 14th July 2023.”
“Our message to politicians is that they should call their candidates and supporters to order. Violence and other undemocratic activities such as vote buying, attacks on election officials, and disruption of the electoral process must stop,”
While maintaining that the ultimate responsibility for election security lies with the Security Agencies, the INEC Chairman said, “Our message to the Security Agencies is to take decisive action against perpetrators of electoral violence. This is the surest way to guarantee a safe environment for the peaceful conduct of elections and electoral activities.”
He continued: “In doing so, security personnel on electoral duty should remain neutral and committed to the established professional code of conduct and rules of engagement.”
