Off-cycle guber polls: INEC tells security agencies to prevent violent attacks

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asked security agencies to prevent violent attacks in the forthcoming off-cycle governorship polls.

Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of INEC, spoke on Thursday at a meeting with the inter-agency consultative committee on election security (ICCES).

Yakubu said INEC is remobilising to conclude the outstanding re-run elections in Enugu south 1 state constituency and Ghari (formerly known as Kunchi LGA) for the Ghari/Tsanyawa state constituency of Kano state.

He said the commission would announce the dates for bye-elections in the 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.

“In addition to these bye-elections, the commission is preparing for two major off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states,” he said.

“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.”

The INEC chairman told the security agencies that the commission would begin continuous voter registration (CVR) in Edo and Ondo from May 27 to June 5.

He added that the campaign in public by political parties in Edo commenced on April 24 and will end at midnight on September 19.

“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,” he said.

“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 results 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 Election Act 2022. The security agencies have a duty to ensure the enforcement of the law.”