The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised significant concerns about the safety and security of all stakeholders involved in the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, highlighted these concerns during the Commission’s third quarterly consultative meeting with political parties in Abuja on Monday.

Professor Yakubu noted that the campaigns for these elections are underway and stressed the need for political parties to comply with INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022. He emphasized the importance of adhering to rules concerning rallies, processions, and campaigns, which are available on INEC’s website.

Yakubu pointed out that the campaign period often escalates tensions, leading to verbal abuse and physical confrontations among parties, candidates, and their supporters. He expressed particular concern about a recent violent incident in Edo State where security personnel were killed, though no new incidents have been reported to INEC since then.

The Chairman assured that INEC is committed to ensuring the safety of candidates, agents, supporters, as well as its own officials, observers, journalists, service providers, and voters. He announced that the final figures for new voters in Edo and Ondo States will be released by the end of the week, followed by the publication of the timetable for collecting uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).

Yakubu also reminded political parties to upload their list of agents for the Edo governorship election to INEC’s portal before it closes at midnight on Tuesday. As of Sunday, July 28, 2024, 14 political parties had submitted details for 38,354 polling agents and 819 collation agents in Edo State.

However, three parties had yet to upload polling agents, and five had not provided details for agents at Ward, Local Government, and State collation centers.

In related news, the Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC) has urged the dissolution of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) to allow INEC to manage local government elections. IPAC Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, commended the recent Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 Local Governments, stating it would greatly enhance local governance and the delivery of basic amenities.