Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it has the power to postpone the upcoming elections in Edo and Ondo States should political parties fail to follow due process during their electoral campaigns.
The INEC National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, while speaking to journalists said INEC is disturbed by the increased violence of political parties during campaigns in Edo State.
Festus Okoye said INEC can only conduct elections in a peaceful environment and not under a violent atmosphere as witnessed in Edo state.
He said the commission will not risk the lives of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members who will serve as electoral officers during the election.
“So the political parties know that we have the power not to proceed with this election if we perceive that violence will engulf the election because the life of a corps member who is serving the nation as a presiding officer cannot be covered by any form of insurance and no amount of compensation can make up for the death of even a single individual.
“So we are not going to risk the lives of young men and women that we are going to deploy just on the basis of the desperation of certain political interests and certain political forces so they know all this. And we are going to make it very clear to them that we have the power to put our feet down and not go ahead with this election if they continue with the way they are going” he said.
The INEC National Commissioner also warned political parties against going against COVID-19 protocols.
He said that political parties are violating COVID-19 protocols during campaigns in Edo and Ondo States.
Okoye added that INEC would review its activities at the just concluded bye-election for the Nasarawa Central State Constituency and work to improve on it against the forthcoming September 19 Governorship election in Edo State.
