The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed its concern over the current political violence and a further increase ahead of the elections scheduled to hold in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states on November 11, 2023. The Commission said there are already signs of political clashes among political parties, even though the campaign just started.
This disclosure was made at the post-election review on Friday in Abuja by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu at the meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) which had in attendance the National Security Adviser (NSA) and Co-Chair of ICCES, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, amongst others.
The INEC Chairman said, “As we review the conduct of the last general election, we also need to focus our attention on the forthcoming bye-elections and the 3 off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States.
“Campaigns in public in the 3 states commenced on July 14TH, 2023 and will continue until Thursday 9TH November 2023 i.e. 24 hours to the opening of polls on Saturday 11TH November 2023.
“Already, there are ominous signs in the form of violent clashes between opposing political parties and candidates. While maintaining strict neutrality, security agencies should take decisive against purveyors of violence and other undemocratic activities such as vote buying, attacks on election officials, and disruption of the electoral process.”
He applauded the security agencies and other members of ICCES in their efforts to make the 2023 General Election as peaceful as possible despite several challenges such as the target attacks of INEC offices across the country.
Yakubu however stated that it is important to learn lessons from the challenges experienced during the last elections in order to proffer solutions not only for the next general election but for also the bye-elections, the 8 off-cycle Governorship elections and any other electoral activities.
