By Aaron Ossai
Ahead of next Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has warned politicians and their supporters to shun any act of violence before, during and after the exercise.
Speaking at a meeting with the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, the Commission’s Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu said they should speak to their agents and supporters to see elections as contests not war.
He said they should refrain from acts of violence that may mar the elections or compromise the security of the personnel, observers, the media and service providers.
According to Mahmood, the Governorship and State Assembly elections this weekend involves more constituencies than the national elections held about three weeks ago.
Speaking further, he explained that unlike the last elections involving 470 constituencies comprising one Presidential, 109 Senatorial Districts and 360 House of Representatives seats while the State elections will involve 1,021 constituencies comprising 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.
“The Commission is encouraged by the directive to State Commands by the Inspector General of Police to handle all cases of electoral offences expeditiously.
“We look forward to receiving the case files. We will immediately set up a legal team to handle such cases in earnest”, he added.
