Dr Anugbum Onuoha, Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has called on political parties participating in the September 21, 2024, Governorship Election in the state to abide by the electoral guidelines.
Onuoha made the call during an interactive session with traditional, religious, and political party leaders in Edo on Thursday in Benin.
He lamented that political parties did not play by the rules by not informing the commission about the commencement of their campaigns.
“The campaigns started April 24. It is our duty to monitor campaigns to ensure that the political parties play by the rules
“At the local government level, inform the Electoral officers that you are going for campaigns and billboards should not be destroyed.”
The Edo INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner said the interaction session became necessary to inform the stakeholders on progress being made as regards the conduct of the Edo governorship election.
He said the commission was ready to furnish all political parties with relevant information that would lead to a peaceful, free, and credible Edo governorship election and assured the parties of a level playing field without compromise or favouritism.
The INEC boss in the state intimated the stakeholders that the official publication of the voter register would be done on Aug. 20 with copies presented to the different political parties, noting that the recruitment of observers for the election was concluded while the recruitment of ad hoc staff was ongoing.
Onuoha said that the commission had accomplished nine out of its 13-point agenda set for the conduct of the Edo governorship election.
Responding to questions asked by the stakeholders, the REC said the Edo State Security Network would not be part of the security agencies for the election.
He said that vote buying and selling were electoral offences, noting that perpetrators would be persecuted by the relevant authorities, just as he added that BVAS for the election were being configured and the logistics arrangement had kicked in.
Speaking to journalists at the end of the session, Alhaji Abudulazeez Igbinidu, Chairman, Edo Council for Islamic Affairs, commended INEC for the progress made so far.
Abudulazeez, however, urged the commission to intensify measures to ensure that problems faced during previous elections were tackled.
He also urged political parties and other relevant stakeholders to abide by the electoral guidelines for a credible and peaceful Edo election.
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