Expressing worries over the escalating political tension in Edo State leading up to the September 21st governorship election, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, indicated the need to address the situation promptly. A meeting with security agencies is scheduled to discuss and mitigate these concerns.
During a quarterly meeting with political party leaders in Abuja, Yakubu highlighted a recent attack on the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Edo State resulting in the death of a security officer. The Chairman emphasized that some political parties were yet to submit the list of their polling and collation agents with the deadline closing imminently.
In reference to the submission deadlines, the INEC chairman mentioned that only 14 political parties had furnished details of polling and collation agents for the Edo election. He pointed out that three parties had not uploaded any polling agent while five parties failed to list agents for crucial collation centers.
Addressing compliance with rules and guidelines, Yakubu urged political party leaders to ensure adherence and cooperation during the campaigning period, stressing the need for peaceful conduct.
Regarding election preparedness, Yakubu reported that significant progress had been made including the recovery from previous infrastructure damage due to rainfall. Additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines were deployed in Edo State to enhance election operations.
Further steps in the electoral process involve the finalization of the voter register, data verification using the Automated Biometric Identification System, and the upcoming publication of new voter statistics along with distribution plans for voter cards.
Regarding the upcoming election in Edo State, Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Yusuf Dantalle, highlighted the commitment of IPAC to ensuring electoral integrity and promoting democratic stability in the country. He advocated for the abolition of States Independent Electoral Commissions to bolster democracy and enhance citizen participation.
In conclusion, Dantalle emphasized the importance of conducting free, fair, and transparent elections in Edo State to restore trust in the electoral system and pave the way for effective governance.