By: Nwakaji Peace Martins
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged political parties to adhere to the regulations and avoid any actions that may incite violence during the upcoming governorship election in Edo scheduled for September 21.
During a meeting with political party leaders and members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Benin on Friday, INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu emphasized that resorting to violence would not confer any advantage to any politician or party in the election. He underscored that the people of Edo will ultimately decide who will be their next governor, and INEC is committed to safeguarding their choice.
Yakubu mentioned that he was in the state to assess the impact of the recent flood on the commission’s head office and to oversee the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) process. While acknowledging the progress made so far, he expressed concern about certain issues reported in Idiya College in Oredo Ward 4 and complaints from Owan West.
He urged party leaders to prioritize peace and contribute to the smooth conduct of the election. Yakubu also highlighted INEC’s impartiality, emphasizing that the commission has successfully managed past governorship elections in Edo and will continue to uphold professionalism in the upcoming election.
The chairman advised party leaders to not only mobilize supporters for voter registration but also ensure the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by eligible voters. Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, pointed out that the meeting was convened due to security concerns arising in the state.
The State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adeboye, assured all political parties of a safe environment during the election and emphasized the need for compliance with electoral rules. He discouraged the presence of armed police officers on election day and expressed a desire to minimize the use of firearms during campaigns and election activities.
