The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recently raised new concerns about security in Edo State as the September governorship election approaches. This comes in light of recent events that have heightened worries about the safety of everyone involved in the election process.
Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of INEC, shared these concerns during a meeting with civil society organizations (CSOs) held in Abuja yesterday. This was the third regular quarterly consultative meeting between INEC and the CSOs. During his remarks, Yakubu specifically referred to a troubling incident in Edo State where a security personnel lost their life. This event has caused significant concern about the safety of the upcoming election.
Yakubu announced that INEC plans to meet with various security agencies on Friday to review and discuss a security report related to the governorship election. The goal of this meeting is to ensure that all necessary measures are in place to maintain security throughout the election period.
As political campaigns continued in Edo and Ondo states, Yakubu emphasized the need for peaceful elections. He urged the CSOs to increase their efforts in advocating for a peaceful election environment. This includes engaging with different stakeholders to promote harmony and prevent any form of violence or disruption.
Despite the recent incident in Edo State, Yakubu noted that no further security issues have been reported to INEC since then. However, he stressed that security remains a critical issue for the commission. The meeting with security agencies will be a significant opportunity to address any potential security concerns and ensure that appropriate actions are taken to protect all individuals involved in the election.
Yakubu highlighted that the safety of all parties involved is a major priority. This includes not only the candidates and their supporters but also INEC officials, election observers, journalists, service providers, and, most importantly, the voters themselves. The commission is committed to ensuring that everyone can participate in the election process without fear or intimidation.
In addition to discussing security, Yakubu took the opportunity to remind the CSOs of their responsibilities as election observers. He emphasized that they must adhere to the objectives of election observation and follow the code of conduct outlined by INEC. These rules are designed to ensure that observers carry out their duties fairly and impartially.
Yakubu also made it clear that INEC has the authority to revoke the accreditation of any observer or observer group that violates the code of conduct. This is to maintain the integrity of the election process and ensure that all observations are conducted in accordance with the established rules.
