Edo Guber: INEC condemns attacks…calls on parties to comply with 2022 regulations, guidelines

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has condemned the recent attacks in Edo State, which led to the death of a security officer.

He called on political parties to comply with the 2022 campaign regulations and guidelines, stressing that had they complied, the attack wouldn’t have taken place.

The INEC boss stated this during the 2024 edition of third regular quarterly consultative meeting with political parties held at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja ahead of the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.

“Campaign by political parties and candidates is in full swing in both Edo and Ondo States. This is the time for party leaders to demonstrate compliance with the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022, especially the aspect dealing with rallies, processions and campaigns already available on our website,” he said.

” The campaign period has often been characterised by acrimony and tension. Sadly, it is also a period of verbal abuse and physical confrontation among parties, candidates and their supporters. The Commission finds the recent event in Edo State resulting in the death of a security personnel worrisome. Happily, there has been no incident known to the Commission since then,” Yakubu added.

“Nevertheless, the Commission will meet with the security agencies under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES). I want to assure you that security in Edo and Ondo will be a major issue for discussion at the meeting,” he said.

“We are also concerned about the safety of candidates, agents, supporters, officials, observers, journalists, service providers and the voters,” he said.

The INEC boss however announced that the damage to the Commission physical infrastructure by torrential rainfall had been addressed and all activities of the Commission were in full swing to ensure a free and fair election.

“lt is now 53 days to the Edo State governorship election coming up on Saturday 21st September 2024. Our preparations are going on in earnest. I am glad to report that we have recovered from the torrential rainfall that resulted in the severe flooding of our State Headquarters in Benin City two months ago,” Yakubu said.

“The damage to the physical infrastructure has been fixed. Vehicles have been repaired while other movable and immovable facilities have been serviced, refurbished or are being gradually replaced. We have delivered additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines to Edo State for the training of election duty personnel as well as contingency for Election Day support.

“We have since published the final list of candidates but we are once again sharing the list with party leaders at this meeting in view of the recent Court Order mandating the Commission to replace the running mate of the candidate of the Labour Party. The amended list is already published on our website,” Yakubu said.