The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has said that the recently held elections have offered some lessons to the electoral body that will enhance the Saturday, November 11 governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states.
This was contained in a statement addressed to stakeholders dated, Thursday, November 9, Yakubu, described the elections as a multi-stakeholder responsibility, saying, “We will continue to ensure free, fair, and credible and inclusive elections but INEC cannot do it alone.”
The statement reads in part, “In less than 48 hours, 5,169,692 Nigerians who collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) are expected to vote in off-cycle Governorship elections. This is the first time in our history that these elections are held on the same day and across three geo-political zones of the country: North Central (Kogi), South East (Imo) and South South (Bayelsa).
“Election is a multi-stakeholder responsibility. As with every election, lessons have been learnt from recent elections. We will continue to ensure free, fair and credible and inclusive elections but INEC cannot do it alone.
“We have received assurances from the security agencies that the environment will be secure for electoral activities and all participants: voters, electoral officials, accredited observers, the media and polling/collation agents. Political parties and candidates have signed the peace accord under the auspices of the National Peace Committee (NPC). Let us maintain the peace and play our roles conscientiously. By doing so, we shall continue to consolidate our democracy.”
