As the off-cycle Governorship elections loom in Edo and Ondo States, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern reminder to political party leaders, stressing the imperative of upholding law and order throughout the electoral process.
During a consultative meeting with political stakeholders in Abuja, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of INEC, emphasized the importance of adhering to established protocols, particularly regarding the timely submission of lists of polling and collation agents to the designated portal.
Highlighting logistical preparations, Yakubu underscored the necessity of meeting deadlines to facilitate the production and distribution of identity cards for polling unit agents and collation agents across the 17 participating political parties. The anticipated numbers include 76,823 polling unit agents and 3,587 ward, local government, and state collation agents.
With the nomination deadline set for 6:00 PM on Monday, May 20, 2024, Yakubu urged parties to finalize candidate selections before the portal closes automatically. Additionally, he announced the resumption of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in both states, providing an opportunity for eligible citizens to register and participate in the electoral process. However, he cautioned against illegal practices such as double or multiple registration.
Yusuf Dantalle, Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), echoed Yakubu’s sentiments, calling for collective vigilance among stakeholders, including political leaders, civil society organizations, security agencies, the judiciary, media, and citizens. He emphasized the necessity of safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy and preempting political disruptions.
Dantalle emphasized, “Our hard-earned democracy must be sustained. It should not be allowed to derail by the activities of anti-democratic and reactionary forces.”
The Edo State Governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024, while the Ondo Governorship election will take place on Saturday, November 16, 2024. As the electoral landscape intensifies, INEC’s advisory underscores the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring transparent and peaceful electoral processes.
