The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) explained serious issues of concern that could upend the sacrosanctity of next year general elections
This has generated fear as it is less than ten months to the polls. The INEC Chairman however calmed the atmosphere by explaining what he implied that election might not hold owing to worded security in some parts of the country.
The INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu remarked on this on Friday in the FCT, Abuja at the second quarterly meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES)
The Chairman admits that there is ample of time for the security agencies to address the situation to make certain of people’s safety at the polls.
The INEC Chief why assuring the security agencies of the commission’s cooperation added that the present situation calls for concern and that if tackled head-on on time, the threats would vanish and the exercise will be peaceful.
“The general security situation in the country and its impact on the electoral process is a source of concern to the commission. However, we are confident that the nine nine months to the 2023 general election, there is enough time to respond to the security challenges and secure the nation for elections to take place nationwide.
He added that, ” The timetable for the election has also been released. Let us not wait until a few weeks to the election before we realise that the time is not on our side and begin to seek for extension of timeline.
The time to act is now. We wish to reassure the security agencies that we will continue to work cooperatively with you to ensure the success of all forthcoming elections and electoral activities.
The INEC Chairman reminded the nation of the preparation of the commission for two off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti State in June 18 and Osun State in July 16.
He further explained that there are pending bye- elections in 18 constituencies nationwide. 14 state constituencies, 3 senatorial districts and 1 federal constituency.
The INEC Chief mentioned that campaigns of various political parties commence nationwide immediately political primaries end in June 3 as each political party will by then have their candidate emerged in line with the provision of 1999 constitution.
He further informed the nation that Resident Electoral Commission (RECs) has been tasked to make provision of basic data on areas of security challenges in their States and citizens living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in order to harvest the data as a basis for engagement with the security agencies and providing best means of guaranteed electoral services to all Nigerians under any circumstance.
