The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged the security agencies to monitor electioneering campaigns in Edo to prevent violence in the state.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this on Thursday at the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting in Abuja in preparation for Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

Yakubu urged the security agencies to ensure that the laws were enforced during the electioneering campaign to avoid the use of the power of incumbency to deny opposition parties and candidates access to public facilities.

“Campaign in public by political parties in Edo commenced on Wednesday, April 24 and will end at midnight on Thursday, Sept. 19 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,’’ Yakubu said.

He also called for adequate security measures for the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and distribution of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) in Edo and Ondo.

He said that the exercise would take in 397 registration centres in the two states, comprised of 192 ward registration centres in Edo and 203 centres in Ondo, in addition to INEC state offices in Benin and Akure.

Yakubu, also the co-chairman of ICCES, said that INEC needed security protection for the registrants, registration personnel, equipment, observers and journalists that would cover the exercise from May 27 to June 5 in the two states.

The INEC chairman also called for a conducive environment for the peaceful conclusion of outstanding by-elections in Enugu and Kano states.

“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 by-elections in three State Assembly constituencies and one Federal Constituency, as a result of the death or resignation of 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,’’ he said.

On his party, the National Security Adviser and Co-Chair of ICCESS, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, urged the head of security agencies to be strategic in the deployment of personnel for the election.

Ribadu, represented by Malam Hassan Abdullahi, the Director, Internal Security, NSA Office, commended the performance of the agencies in the 2023 general election and added the same was expected of them in the forthcoming election.

“I want to add that we should be a bit more careful in our deployment in terms of the numbers so that we will not overburden the system,’’ Ribadu said.

The meeting was attended by heads and representatives of various Security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies in the country.

(NAN)

PDP releases timetable for Edo governorship election

The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has released its schedule of activities ahead of the Edo State governorship election.

The timetable which was signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, was released on Thursday after a joint meeting of the Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee of the party at its headquarters in Abuja.

According to the timetable, the party’s congress where its governorship candidate will emerge will be held on February 22, 2024.

According to reports, aspirants interested in contesting the governorship election will get the nomination form for N21 million, while youths aged between 25 and 30 will get a 50 per cent discount on the nomination form fees.

According to the schedule of activities, registration of old and new members will be held between November 16 and December 7.

December 14 is the last date for submission of the ward register to the Directorate of Organisation and Mobilisation while stakeholders’ consultative meeting with the National Working Group will be held between December 19 and 20.

Sales of expression of interest and ad-hoc forms for all offices are slated for January 10-16 while  January 17 is the last day for the submission of already completed expression of interest and ad-hoc forms.

The screening of aspirants for the governorship seat by the National Working Committee will hold on January 18, 2024

Sales of the nomination forms to aspirants who completed and submitted their expression of interest form is slated for January 19- 25 while January 27 is the last date for submission of already completed nomination form.

February 22 is for the governorship primary while February 24 is for the appeal on the governorship primary.

PDP releases timetable for Edo governorship election

Kogi Guber: Dino Melaye demands cancellation of elections in five LGAs

The Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kogi State, Dino Melaye, on Saturday demanded the cancellation of the elections which were held in five Local Government Areas of the state.

The LGAs, according to Melaye are Okene, Okehi, Ajaokuta, Adavi, and Ogori/Mangogo.

The candidate alleged that the results from the units were compromised.

Posting via his official X account, Melaye said, “INEC must cancel the election in the 5 local governments of Kogi-Central.  The election in Okene, Okehi, Ajaoukuta, Adavi, and Ogori/Mangogo is a scam coordinated from the highest level of INEC.”