By Nathaniel Gana and Dominic James
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu yesterday told security agencies to keep their eyes on the electioneering process in Edo and Ondo States to prevent negative mobilization by political parties, candidates, and their supporters during their campaigns for the impending polls.
He also frowned at the habit of some state governors who use their powers of incumbency to deny opposition parties and candidates access to public facilities such as Radio and Television stations, public building for campaigns and rallies or even outdoor advertising through the imposition of excessive fees and levies, warning that such actions often result in the breach of the peace.
The occasion was the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting held at the INEC headquarters on Thursday 16th May 2024 in Abuja, where the Commission briefed the ICCES members on its preparations for the Edo and Ondo Governorship elections scheduled for 21st September and 16th November 2024 respectively.
Speaking before his impressive audience, Prof. Yakubu said: “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.”
On preparations or the governorship elections, the INEC Chairman informed the security chiefs that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) would be conducted simultaneously in the two states from 27th May to 5th June 2024 between 9am and 3pm daily, including the weekend to enable previously unregistered eligible citizens the opportunity to do so.
Registered voters will also have the opportunity to transfer their registrations from other states of the country to Edo and Ondo states, or from one location to the other in both. Complaints about lost or damaged Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) will be attended to during the exercise.
“During the period,” Prof Yakubu stated, “uncollected PVCs from previous registrations in the two states will also be made 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).”
The INEC Chairman said the Commission would require security protection for the registrants, registration personnel, equipment, observers and journalists that will cover the exercise.
On the bye-elections and court-ordered rerun elections conducted in 26 States on 3rd February this year, Prof. Yakubu said: “I am glad to report that except for two State constituencies in Enugu and Kano States, the elections in 45 constituencies have been concluded without major incidents and winners declared. I wish to place on record my appreciation and that of the co-chair of ICCES (the National Security Adviser) for the proactive measures taken by the security agencies in ensuring the peaceful conclusion of the elections involving 4,904,627 registered voters spread across 80 Local Government Areas, 575 electoral Wards and 8,934 Polling Units.
“Following consultations with stakeholders, the Commission is remobilising to conclude the outstanding re-run elections in Enugu South 1 State Constituency of Enugu State and Ghari (formerly known as Kunchi Local Government Area) for the Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano State. Similarly, I would like to inform you of vacancies in four States of the Federation that will necessitate bye-elections in three State Assembly constituencies and one Federal Constituency, as a result of death or resignation of Honourable Members.
“As soon as necessary preparations are concluded, the Commission will announce the dates for bye-elections in Khana 2 State Constituency of Rivers State, the Bagwai/Shanono State constituency of Kano State, the Zaria Kewaye State Constituency of Kaduna State and the Garki/Babura Federal Constituency of Jigawa State. Again, we look forward to working with the security agencies to secure the environment for peaceful elections.”
On his part, the National Security Adviser (NSA) and Co-Chairman of ICESS, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, represented by the Director of Internal Security at the office of the NSA, Hassan Y. Abdullahi, commended the security agencies and INEC for collaboration towards the successful conduct of the last elections.
He assured that the security agencies will be more careful in their deployment, especially about personnel and logistics.