The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised significant concerns regarding the security of the upcoming governorship election in Edo State.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of INEC, voiced these apprehensions during his appearance before the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters on Thursday.
In preparation for the off-cycle governorship elections scheduled for Edo and Ondo States, Prof. Yakubu highlighted that the primary issue facing the electoral body in Edo is security.
Specifically, there are worries about the potential involvement of the Edo State Security Network (ESSN) in the electoral process.
“When we were there, one of the political parties raised an issue in Edo about the likely deployment of the Edo State Security Network (ESSN),” Yakubu disclosed. Following this complaint, INEC promptly engaged with the Commissioner of Police and summoned a meeting with all security agencies in Edo.
During these discussions, it was agreed that INEC would meet with all political parties. The Commissioner of Police assured INEC and the party leaders that he would address the matter with the Sate government.
Yakubu further mentioned that, at the time, the issue coincided with the ongoing continuous voter registration, and since then, no official complaints have been received from any party or candidate regarding the role of the ESSN.
Prof. Yakubu expressed confidence that the Commissioner of Police had likely communicated with the leadership of the ESSN to mitigate any potential disruptions.
On the broader preparation for the governorship race, Yakubu stated, “We have conducted continuous voter registration. A few of the registered voters require validation.” He acknowledged INEC’s dissatisfaction with the quality of the biometrics for the registered voters in the state, emphasizing that every registered Nigerian has the right to vote seamlessly and it is INEC’s responsibility to ensure this opportunity is provided to all citizens.
He announced that the final results of the continuous voter registration in Edo would be published next week. Yakubu also highlighted the unique challenges of conducting off-cycle governorship elections, noting that they are often more difficult and challenging than general elections.
“These off-cycle elections are very difficult and very challenging for us,” he remarked, underscoring the complexities INEC faces in ensuring a fair and secure electoral process.
As the election date approaches, INEC remains vigilant and committed to addressing these security concerns to safeguard the integrity of the Edo governorship election.
