Bye Election: INEC Facilities, Materials Suffer Attack From Unknown Persons

Following the Independent National Electoral commission, INEC, suspending its October 31st Bye Elections in 11 states across the nation, the commission has raised an alarm over destruction of its facilities and materials by unidentified persons.

National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye made the disclosure in a statement saying that due to the insecurity in the nation occasioned by the EndSARS protests, the commission had earlier had to postpone the election.

He said upon resuming for further meeting after assessing the situation, it discovered that the local government councils where this elections were to be held have suffered atracks hy unidentified persons

According to him: ” The public will recall that the Commission met on 22nd October 2020 with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to deliberate on the 15 outstanding bye-elections in 11 States of the Federation earlier scheduled for 31st October 2020. Due to the security situation in the country at the time, the Commission decided to suspend the bye-elections and meet in two weeks to review its decision.

“The Commission suffered extensive damage to and vandalization of its local government offices and facilities, including the areas where the bye-elections are scheduled to hold.

“It is important to consult all the critical stakeholders in the electoral process before deciding on a definite date for the conduct of the bye-elections

Okoye noted further that the commission will meet with all the various stakeholders for the election to enable it arrived at a better date for the elections.

” Consequently, the Commission will consult with political parties and civil society organisations on Tuesday 10th November 2020 and then with the media and Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) on Wednesday 11th November 2020. The Commission will thereafter meet again with the Resident Electoral Commissioners on Thursday, 12th November 2020 to decide on a date for the conduct of the bye-elections.

” We appeal to all stakeholders to continue to cooperate with the Commission in its efforts to conduct credible elections under a safe and conducive environment”, he said.

National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye made the disclosure in a statement saying  due to the insecurity in the nation occasioned by EndSARS, the commission had to postponed the election.

He said upon resuming for further meetings, after assessing the situation, it discovered that the local government councils where this elections were to be held have suffered attacks by unidentified persons

According to him: ” The public will recall that the Commission met on 22nd October 2020 with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to deliberate on the 15 outstanding bye-elections in 11 States of the Federation earlier scheduled for 31st October 2020. Due to the security situation in the country at the time, the Commission decided to suspend the bye-elections and meet in two weeks to review its decision.

“The Commission suffered extensive damage to and vandalization of its local government offices and facilities, including the areas where the bye-elections are scheduled to hold.

“It is important to consult all the critical stakeholders in the electoral process before deciding on a definite date for the conduct of the bye-elections

Okoye noted further that the commission will meet with all the various stakeholders for the election to enable it arrived at a better date for the elections.

” Consequently, the Commission will consult with political parties and civil society organisations on Tuesday 10th November 2020 and then with the media and Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) on Wednesday 11th November 2020. The Commission will thereafter meet again with the Resident Electoral Commissioners on Thursday, 12th November 2020 to decide on a date for the conduct of the bye-elections.

” We appeal to all stakeholders to continue to cooperate with the Commission in its efforts to conduct credible elections under a safe and conducive environment”, he said.

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