INEC Warns Against Electoral Violence, Says Saturday’s Election More Demanding Than Presidential Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned against electoral violence, disclosing that the forthcoming Saturday’s election will take place in only 28 states involving more constituencies than the last presidential and National Assembly elections.

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman made the disclosure while giving updates during inter-agency consultative committee on election security meeting on Tuesday.

According to him, “Governorship elections in eight States (Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun States) are held off-cycle and therefore not conducted during the General Election. However, elections will be conducted for all the 993 State constituencies nationwide.

“The Governorship and State Assembly elections this weekend involves more constituencies than the national elections held about three weeks ago.

“Unlike the last elections involving 470 constituencies (1 Presidential, 109 Senatorial Districts and 360 House of Representatives seats), the State elections will involve 1,021 constituencies (28 Governorship and 993 State Assembly seats).

“There will also be more candidates involved and more collation centres to protect. They are also local elections involving keen contests.”

He urged the candidates to ensure a peaceful conduct the election by speaking to their supporters on the need to refrain from any acts of violence.

Further, he said the commission expects a coordinated deployment plan in synergy with other security, intelligence, law enforcement and safety agencies, having made available to the Nigeria Police Force
the delimitation details for both the Governorship and State Assembly elections, including locations of Polling Units and Collation Centres.

Yakubu said, “It is therefore important for parties and candidates to speak to their agents and supporters to see the elections as a contest and not war. They should refrain from acts of violence that may mar the elections or compromise the security of our personnel, observers, the media and service providers.”