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The Hon. Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has reassured Voters in Edo State of an open and transparent process as the people troop out to vote for candidates of their choice in the upcoming Governorship Election scheduled for 21st September 2024 in the State.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has also assured Voters of maximum security during the election as he read the riot act to stakeholders in the State.
The INEC Chairman and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) assurances were given during a Stakeholders’ Forum organised by INEC in Benin the Edo State capital on Wednesday, 11th September 2024; just 10 days ahead of the much anticipated Governorship Election.
Prof. Yakubu while expressing satisfaction with the Commission’s level of preparedness, reiterated INEC’s unwavering commitment to ensuring openness and transparency in the electoral process. He said, “For the 2024 Edo State Governorship Election holding next week, INEC has been open and transparent about our processes. We engaged several times with stakeholders at the national level and here in Edo State. We have made every information about the election available to Nigerians.”
“We have published the list of candidates, the number of registered voters and the number of PVCs collected. We have made available the locations of voting and collation centres across the State. We have accredited Observers and Media organisations for the election. We have accredited Polling and Collation Agents and made the details public.”
He further stated, “Only yesterday, we visited some of the Local Government Areas to assess our readiness for the election. We have test-run our election technology in preparation for the Election Day. We are deploying the requisite number of technical staff to address challenges that may occur in the field. We have made arrangements for land and maritime transportation of personnel and materials. We have arranged for the delivery of sensitive materials for the election to Edo State early next week. We will invite political parties and other stakeholders for the usual inspection of the materials at the Central Bank here in Benin ahead of the delivery to the Local Government Areas.”
The INEC Chairman tasked the stakeholders, particularly the political parties to adhere strictly to the rules to ensure a peaceful and credible election in the State. In his words “We are leaving no stone unturned in our preparations for the election, always in consultation with the stakeholders. I urge you to play your part positively in delivering yet another credible Governorship Election in Edo State. You should continue to restrain your supporters from violence and other disruptive conduct. The best way to do so is by the personal example you set as political parties and candidates both in your campaign speeches and actions.”
Further outlining the steps taken by the Commission to ensure transparency of the process, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said, “The 2024 Edo State Governorship Election is not just a national election, it is also of global interest.
The Commission has so far accredited 134 Groups (124 domestic and 10 international) deploying 1,836 Observers across the State. Similarly, we have accredited 114 Media organisations deploying 721 journalists.”
“We have also accredited thousands of Agents representing candidates and political parties at the 4,730 polling and collation locations made up of 4,519 polling units, 192 Ward collation centres, 18 Local Government collation centres and the State Collation Centre.”
“I want to assure you that the accreditation tags for all categories of stakeholders are ready. We will announce the date and venue for collection in the next 24 hours. Similarly, election duty vehicle stickers are available for collection from our Edo State office here in Benin City,” he added.
On his part, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun read the riot act to political actors in the election including candidates, their supporters and the electorate, urging them to play by the rules or face the full wrath of the law.
He emphasized that the Nigeria Police as the lead agency in the country’s electoral process is empowered by law to ensure that elections are conducted in line with the Constitution and the Electoral Act which the force is fully committed to enforce.
He said “The Nigeria Police is taking the Edo Governorship Election very seriously, that is why I have come today for this Stakeholders meeting to reassure the good people of Edo State that we are prepared and ready to do all it takes for the election to go on smoothly by ensuring that all persons and properties including equipment that will be used for this election will be secured.”
“Our approach to election security is grounded in the principles of neutrality, professionalism, and respect for human rights. We are committed to the deployment of adequate personnel and resources to ensure adequate crowd management, prevent electoral violence and address other security issues”.
The IGP disclosed that “the Police will be deploying 35,000 personnel and this will be complemented by over 8,000 members of the armed forces and other security agencies. In preparation for the election, the Nigeria Police Force in collaboration with these other security agencies has undertaken several measures including conducting a thorough threat analysis of vulnerable points in the State to deploy resources effectively.”
Speaking further, he said, “I take this opportunity to warn all potential troublemakers contemplating destructive actions to abandon false intentions. The security forces will not tolerate any form of political thuggery, violence or hooliganism. Any attempt to undermine the electoral process will be met with swift and decisive action.”
Assuring law-abiding citizens in the State of a secure environment to freely cast their votes, IGP Egbetokun stated “I assure the residents of Edo State that we are fully prepared to safeguard your safety and security throughout this electoral process. Your right to vote is secure and we will protect it. I encourage you to come out in large numbers to assert your right, confident that our extensive deployment is intended to ensure your safety and integrity of the election.”
INEC EXTENDS PVC COLLECTION IN EDO STATE
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a three-day extension for the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from Friday, 13th September to Sunday, 15th September 2024. This extension aims to allow registered voters in Edo State to collect their cards to vote in the upcoming Governorship Election scheduled for 21st September 2024.
The decision was contained in a statement signed by the Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC) Mr. Sam Olumekun mni, on Wednesday, 11th September 2014.
The IVEC Chair explained that the decision was reached in response to the unanimous call by stakeholders for an extension during an interactive meeting with stakeholders on Wednesday, 11th September 2024 at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub in Benin City ahead of the Edo State Governorship Election holding next week.
The statement reads “The Commission held an interactive meeting with stakeholders today, Wednesday 11th September 2024, at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub in Benin City ahead of the Edo State Governorship Election holding next week.”
“The meeting was well-attended by Chairmen of Political Parties, candidates, traditional rulers and religious leaders, security agencies, civil society organisations and the media. The Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun addressed the stakeholders and responded to their electoral and security concerns.”
“At the meeting, stakeholders were unanimous in their appeal to the Commission to consider an extension of the period for the collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) for a few days to enable more voters to collect their cards.”
“Consequently, a three-day extension has been granted from Friday 13th – Sunday, 15th September 2024. The cards will be available for collection in our 18 Local Government Offices across the State from 9:00am to 5:00pm daily.
“The Commission appeals to all registered voters who are yet to collect their PVCs to seize the opportunity of the extension to do so.
“In line with the Commission’s policy, no collection by proxy will be allowed.”
