The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says
political parties should prevail on their supporters to refrain from acts of
violence during the governorship and state assembly polls.
Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, spoke on Tuesday during a
meeting of the inter-agency consultative committee on election security.
The INEC chairman thanked security agencies for the
professionalism of their personnel and the largely peaceful conduct of the
presidential election.
He said INEC state offices have provided the police with the
details for the governorship and state assembly elections, including locations
of polling units and collation centres.
“On that basis, we
expect a coordinated deployment plan in synergy with other security,
intelligence, law enforcement and safety agencies,” he said.
“Only yesterday, the commission held a virtual meeting with
all the resident electoral commissioners (RECs) in which we reviewed
preparations for the state elections. In addition to election technology,
logistics and a host of other issues, security was also discussed.”
The INEC chairman said the governorship and state assembly
elections involve more constituencies, candidates and collation centres than
the national elections.
He said it is therefore important for parties and candidates
to ask their agents and supporters to see the elections as a contest and not
war.
“They should refrain from acts of violence that may mar the
elections or compromise the security of our personnel, observers, the media and
service providers,” he said.
“The commission is encouraged by the directive to state
commands by the inspector general of police to handle all cases of electoral
offences expeditiously.
“We look forward to receiving the case files. We will
immediately set up a legal team to handle such cases in earnest.”
The governorship and state assembly polls have been fixed
for March 18.
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