2023: INEC cautions political parties, supporters against violence

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned political parties and their supporters not to engage in violence, saying it could worsen the country’s security situation.

INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said this at the Training of Master Trainers on Election Technology for the 2023 General Election in Abuja.

Yakubu expressed sadness and concern about recent clashes among party supporters in some states.

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“Even as the commission is working hard to ensure a credible process in the forthcoming elections, reports of clashes among parties and their supporters in some states of the country during the ongoing electioneering campaign are worrisome.

“So too is the reported denial of access to public facilities for parties and candidates in some states of the federation.

“Let me caution parties and their supporters to focus on issues and steer clear of attacks on each other.

“These are not only violations of the Electoral Act, 2022, but also negate the voluntary commitment by all political parties and candidates to the letter and spirit of the peace accord signed about three weeks ago under the auspices of the National Peace Committee (NPC),” he said.

“Parties, candidates and their supporters should not by acts of commission or omission further complicate the prevailing security situation in the country.’’

According to the chairman, a peaceful electioneering campaign is critical to the conduct of a peaceful and credible election.

He stated that INEC would continue to closely monitor the situation and would hold a meeting with political party leaders next week to discuss, among other things, the importance of peaceful campaigns and equal access to public facilities.

“In the same vein,” he said, “the commission will meet with security agencies next week under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).”