‘Call Your Supporters To Order’ — Yakubu Tells Political Parties

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has issued an appeal to political party leaders to rein in their supporters and ensure a peaceful atmosphere in the run-up to the governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi. The off-cycle polls are scheduled for November 11.

Yakubu made this call during a quarterly consultative meeting with political parties, aimed at reviewing the 2023 elections. He emphasized that while INEC is focused on improving its performance in the upcoming elections, party leaders should also engage in introspection regarding the conduct of their candidates and supporters.

One major concern highlighted by Yakubu is the use of thugs during elections, which has led to the harassment of election officials, intimidation of voters, and disruption of electoral processes, often resulting in the destruction of election materials. The INEC chairman stressed that this issue must be addressed promptly to ensure free and fair elections.

In addition, Yakubu cautioned against the misuse of the power of incumbency by preventing opposition parties from accessing state facilities or media for their campaigns. He condemned the denial of access to public facilities for media campaigns and outdoor advertising through exorbitant fees or outright refusal, leading to clashes and violence between supporters of opposing parties.

The matter of denial of access to state facilities by political parties will be discussed further at the upcoming meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) on Friday, as announced by Yakubu.

He urged political parties to address this issue and not tolerate any violation of the law, stating that there should be no reward for such behavior. Yakubu called on parties present to use their influence in states where such situations arise and work with the leadership to ensure fair access for all political citizens.

Regarding the electoral process, the commission is currently working on the electronic register of election results, in line with the provisions of section 62(2) of the electoral act. While acknowledging the positive developments in the general election, Yakubu also acknowledged the challenges faced and assured that a comprehensive report would be prepared after the review process. This report will serve as a basis for further engagement with stakeholders, focusing on specific actions to improve future elections and electoral activities. (CONTINUE READING HERE)