– Bemoans incessant use of thugs to disrupt elections
By Princess-Ekwi Ajide, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has asked political parties and their candidates to call their supporters to order as there are already disturbing reports of clashes between opposing parties with claims and counter claims of innocence or culpability ahead of the off season governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States.
The commission is currently reviewing the 2023 general election which it hopes that at the end of the review process, a comprehensive report will be prepared to serve as basis for further engagement with stakeholders focusing on specific actions necessary for the improvement of future elections and electoral activities.
Speaking at a meeting with political parties for the review of the election, the Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, said there is need to address the perennial complaints from some political parties that the power of incumbency is used in some States to restrain some parties and candidates from access to public facilities for media campaigns and outdoor advertising through exorbitant fees or outright denial
According to him, the Commission, is looking at some of the lessons learnt from the 2023 general election to improve on its performance in future elections especially the forthcoming bye-elections and the three off-cycle Governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States.
Professor Yakubu, said they are focusing, among other issues, on election technology, recruitment and training of ad hoc staff, the conduct of some of their regular and ad hoc officials, security issues, logistics in particular and our relationship with other service providers in general.
In his speech, the Chairman Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, Engr. Yusuf Yabagi said with the INEC 2023 elections review report, stakeholders are presented with unique opportunity to work together with a view to improving the electoral process for future elections beginning with the three off-season elections in November in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo states.
He said, IPAC has set up an Elections Review Committee to unearth all immediate and remote causes surrounding the conduct and the outcome of the 2023 election expressing hope that its findings and recommendations will assist in engendering dialogue amongst all stakeholders on electoral, legal and administrative reforms necessary to achieve improved democratic practices in Nigeria.
