Ahead of the March 18 governorship and State House of Assembly elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is issuing a stern warning to political parties and their supporters.
INEC warns them not to engage in any act of violence capable of disrupting the elections.
The warning was delivered on Tuesday in Abuja by the INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
Election Is Not War
He says political parties should see themselves as stakeholders in the forthcoming elections.
He wants them to approach it as a contest, not a war.
Yakubu says security agents have been briefed on details for the governorship and State House of Assembly elections.
It also includes locations of polling units and collation centres.
The INEC boss expresses confidence that the security agents will do their jobs professionally just like in times past.
“On that basis, we expect a coordinated deployment plan in synergy with other security, intelligence, law enforcement and safety agencies.
“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, security and other issues was also discussed.”
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INEC Is Ready
Yakubu says the commission is ready to handle all cases relating to electoral offences.
“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.
Also, the commission encouraged all state commands, as ordered by the Inspector General of Police to handle all cases of electoral offences expeditiously.
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“We look forward to receiving the case files.
“We will immediately set up a legal team to handle such cases in earnest,” he added.
