Yemisi Izuora
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has drawn attention of security agencies to ominous signs of clashes between opposing political parties as the Commission prepares for the forthcoming bye-elections and the three off-cycle Governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States.
Campaigns in public in the three States commenced on 14th July 2023 and will continue until Thursday 9th November 2023, which is 24 hours to the opening of polls on Saturday 11th November 2023.
Addressing Inter Agency Consultative Committee On Election Security, ICCES, chairman of the Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, said already, there are ominous signs in the form of violent clashes between opposing political parties and candidates.
While maintaining strict neutrality, security agencies should take decisive action against purveyors of violence and other undemocratic activities such as vote buying, attacks on election officials and disruption of the electoral process, he urged.
He explained to them the essence of the forum, saying that election is a multi-stakeholder activity.
According to him, Although INEC drives the process, a secure environment for the conduct of peaceful elections is the responsibility of the security agencies working in partnership with the Commission.
Yakubu further noted that the synergy has enabled the Agency to overcome many of the challenges prior to the 2023 General Election, including the targeted attacks on INEC offices nationwide.
“Indeed, the concern that the perennial insecurity in some parts of country before the election may make our deployment of personnel and materials, and consequently the conduct of polls, impossible did not materialise. We wish to place on record our appreciation to the security agencies and other members of ICCES for the largely peaceful conduct of the polls.” he said.
He said further that at the same time, the Commission and other stakeholders should draw lessons from the challenges that occurred for improved performance not only in the next General Election but also in the bye-elections, the eight off-cycle Governorship elections and other electoral activities to be held over the next three years.
“Similarly, during our interactive meetings with political parties, civil society organisations and the media, some specific security issues of concern were identified. We assured them that their concerns will be tabled at this meeting for appropriate remedial action.” he added.