The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Tuesday, warned all the political parties in the contest for the Saturday’s Governorship and States Houses of Assembly election not to take it as a war but a game of contest.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, gave the advice at an Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.
He renewed the call on political parties to adhere strictly to the rules of the game.
He stated that this Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections would be an improvement of the just concluded February 25, presidential and National Assembly elections.
The INEC Chairman said that the commission looks forward to an improved performance in Saturday’s election.
Yakubu urged the political leaders to shun acts inimical to the electoral Act stating that infractions could mar the election or compromise the security of INEC personnel, observers and other stakeholders.
According to him, the governorship election would hold in 28 states, with the exception of Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun, where the election was conducted off-cycle.
He further hinted that the state Houses of Assembly election would, equally hold in all the 993 state constituencies across the country.
“Unlike the last elections involving 470 constituencies (one Presidential, 109 Senatorial Districts and 360 House of Representatives seats), the state elections will involve 1,021 constituencies (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.
“It is therefore important for parties and candidates to speak to their agents and supporters to see the elections as a contest and not war.
“They should refrain from acts of violence that may mar the elections or compromise the security of our personnel, observers, the media and service providers,’’ Yakubu said.
“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,’’ Yakubu said.
