Edo 2020: We are worried – INEC

The independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said the increasing number of conflicting court orders are worrisome and the are capable of hindering the success of the forthcoming Edo State Governorship elections.

The INEC National Commissioner for information and voter education, Festus Okoye made this assertion.

He stated that, the conduct of party primaries including resolution of party disputes should be rounded up by 27th June 2020, while the submission of the list of candidates and affidavits of validly nominated candidates will close by 6pm on 29th June, 2020.

He further stated that the commission was worried, but closely monitoring the increasing number of pre-election litigations and conflicting court orders, so as not to harm the smooth conduct of the conduct of primaries and upcoming elections.

He however stated that, plans are in top gear to ensure a hitch-free polls.

He said, In view of this and as part of the commission’s commitment to deepen the use of technology in elections, it will conduct a training programme for Liaison Officers nominated by all the registered Political Parties on the use of the INEC Portal for uploading nomination forms of candidates,”

“The training will take place at the Conference Hall of the Commission on Thursday 26th and Friday 27th June 2020 in two batches, to allow for physical distancing in line with the COVID-19 protocols.

“Political Parties should note that the organisation and scheduling of various activities and processes leading to the conduct of elections are complex and involve extensive and careful planning and any disruption of these processes comes at a huge cost to the nation.”

It added that the commission is closely monitoring cases arising from the administration of political parties, conduct of primaries, and nomination of candidates and restated INEC’s commitment to obey all orders and judgements in accordance with the rule of law.

INEC said it has also considered the report from the meeting of the inter-agency consultative committee on election security (ICCES), which recently approved a code of conduct and rules of engagement for security officials on electoral duty.

It said, the code, signed by the chairman of INEC, the national security adviser (NSA) as co-chairman of ICCES and the inspector-general of police (IGP), will be uploaded on the websites of INEC, the office of the NSA and the Nigeria police force on June 25, 2020.