The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on leaders of Political Parties to caution their supporters against acts capable of undermining the electoral process.
Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the call at a meeting with Political Parties on the review of the 2023 General Election held in Abuja on Tuesday 25th July, against the backdrop of recent disturbing reports of clashes between supporters of opposing parties emanating from the three states where off-cycle Governorship elections will hold on 11th November this year.
Addressing party leaders, Prof. Yakubu said “As we review the general election, we also need to focus our attention on the forthcoming bye-elections and the three off-cycle Governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States. For the Commission, we are looking at some of the lessons learned from the general election to improve our performance in the forthcoming elections.
“We are focusing, among other issues, on election technology, recruitment and training of ad hoc staff, the conduct of some of our regular and ad hoc officials, security issue, logistics in particular, and our relationship with other service providers in general.”
He continued; “I also appeal to party leaders for similar introspection on the conduct of your candidates and their supporters. The use of thugs during elections to harass election officials, intimidate voters, and disrupt processes, sometimes resulting in the destruction of election materials or even worse must be addressed.
