'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has charged security agencies to ensure a peaceful environment conducive for the successful conduct of forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo states.
With the Edo Governorship election billed to take place on Saturday, 21st September 2024, while the Ondo Governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, 16th November 2024.
In his remark at the second Regular Quarterly Consultative Meeting with Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), in Abuja today, May 16.
The Commission emphasized the important role of security agencies in midwifing a peaceful, free and credible election.
According to INEC’s Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the commission is looking forward to work with the security agencies without which there can't be a peaceful election.
He said, "the Commission is preparing for two major off-cycle Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States. The Edo State Governorship election is holding in the next four months on Saturday 21st September 2024 while the Ondo Governorship election holds in the next six months on Saturday 16th November 2024.
"There are two activities relating to the forthcoming Governorship elections that we need to draw your attention to. First is the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in the two States that will enable eligible citizens who are not registered voters to do so. Similarly, those who are registered voters will also have the opportunity to transfer their registration from other States of the Federation to Edo and Ondo States or from one location to another within the States. Complaints about lost or damaged voters’ cards will be considered during the registration period. The CVR will take place simultaneously in the two States from Monday 27th May 2024 to Wednesday 5th June 2024 from 9.00am to 3.00pm daily including the weekend. During the period, uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) from previous registrations in the two States will also be available for collection by registered voters.
"The CVR will take place at Ward level and our State headquarters. This means that there will be 192 Ward registration centres in Edo State and 203 centres in Ondo State in addition to our State offices in Benin City and Akure, making a total of 397 registration centres in the two States. Each centre will be managed by two officials drawn from our regular staff and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). We need security protection for the registrants, registration personnel, equipment, observers and journalists that will cover the exercise. The detailed locations of the registration centres have been compiled in a detailed 28-page document included in your folders for this meeting to guide your operational plans to secure the process."
He equally appealed to security agencies to monitor the electioneering process with a view to preventing violent attacks or negative mobilisation by political parties.
"The Commission has published the final list of candidates for Edo following the conclusion of party primaries and the end of the period for withdrawal and substitution of candidates as provided in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election. Campaign in public by political parties commenced on Wednesday 24th April 2024 and will end at midnight on Thursday 19th September 2024 i.e. 24 hours before the date fixed for the election as provided by law.
"I urge you to keep your eyes on the electioneering process with a view to preventing violent attacks or negative mobilisation by political parties, candidates and their supporters during their campaigns. Similarly, the use of the power of incumbency to deny opposition parties and candidates access to public facilities such as Radio and Television stations, public buildings for campaigns and rallies or even outdoor advertising through the imposition of excessive fees and levies often result in the breach of the peace. These actions, including the mutual destruction of campaign materials and facilities, violate the provisions of Sections 91 to 97 of the Electoral Act 2022. The security agencies have a duty to ensure the enforcement of the law" INEC boss concluded.
Representing the National Security Adviser and co-chair of ICCES, director internal security in the office of the NSA, Hassan .Y. Abdullahi appreciated all security agencies for their role in previous elections and challenged them to ensure they up their ante in the coming elections.
Some of the agencies represented at the meeting include: Nigerian Army, Navy, Air force, Nigerian Police Force, EFCC, Nigeria Immigration Service, ICPC, NDLEA, Nigeria Customs Service, NYSC, Nigeria Police Service Commission, among others.
