Ahead of the September 21 Edo governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has called on all political parties participating in the election to abide by the electoral guidelines.
Edo Resident Electoral Commissioner, INEC, Dr Anugbum Onuoha, made the call during an interactive session with traditional, religious, and political party leaders in Edo yesterday in Benin.
Onuoha said political parties did not play by the rules by not informing the commission about the commencement of their campaigns.
“The campaigns started April 24. We have to monitor campaigns to ensure that the political parties play by the rules.
“At the local government level, inform the electoral officers that you are going for campaigns and billboards should not be destroyed.”
Onuoha said the interaction session became necessary to inform the stakeholders about progress being made regarding the conduct of the Edo governorship election.
He said the commission was ready to furnish all political parties with relevant information to ensure a peaceful, free, and credible Edo governorship election.
He also assured the parties of a level playing ground without compromise and favouritism.
He intimated the stakeholders that the official publication of the voters’ register would be on August 20, and copies would be presented to the different political parties.
He noted that the recruitment of observers for the election was concluded while the recruitment of ad hoc staff was ongoing.
He said that the commission had accomplished nine out of the 13 points it had set for conducting the Edo governorship election.
Responding to questions from the stakeholders, the REC said the Edo State Security Network would not be part of the security agencies for the election.
He said that vote buying and selling were electoral offences, noting that the relevant authorities would persecute perpetrators.
He added that BVAS for the election was being configured, and the logistics arrangement had kick-started.
Speaking to journalists at the end of the session, chairman of the Edo Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Abudulazeez Igbinidu, commended INEC for its progress so far.
Abudulazeez, however, urged the commission to intensify measures to ensure that problems faced during previous elections were tackled.
He also urged political parties and other relevant stakeholders to abide by the electoral guidelines towards a credible and peaceful Edo election.
