Ahead of Edo and Ondo states’ governorship elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission, yesterday, urged security agencies to prevent incumbent governors from abusing their powers by denying opposition parties and candidates access to campaign facilities. 
 
The commission also asked security agencies to prevent violent attacks and negative mobilisation by political parties, candidates, and their supporters during campaigns.
 
INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, gave the charge at the quarterly meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security in Abuja. 
   
“I urge you to keep your eyes on the electioneering process to prevent violent attacks or negative mobilisation by political parties, candidates and their supporters during their campaigns.
   
“Similarly, the use of the power of incumbency to deny opposition parties and candidates access to public facilities such as radio and television stations, public buildings for campaigns and rallies or even outdoor advertising through the imposition of excessive fees and levies often result in the breach of the peace. These actions, including the mutual destruction of campaign materials and facilities, violate the provisions of Sections 91 to 97 of the Electoral Act 2022. The security agencies must ensure the enforcement of the law”, he stated. 
 
Yakubu also emphasised the need for security agencies to protect registrants, registration personnel, equipment, observers, and journalists covering the Continuous Voters’ Registration ahead of the upcoming Edo and Ondo governorship elections. Edo State governorship election is scheduled for September 21, 2024, while the Ondo State election will take place on November 16, 2024.
   
The CVR in both states will run simultaneously from Monday, May 27, to Wednesday, June 5, from 9 am to 3 p.m. daily, including weekends. Campaigning by political parties began on April 24, 2024, and would end at midnight on September 19, 2024.
   
Yakubu added: “The CVR will take place at the ward level and our state headquarters. This means that there will be 192 Ward registration centres in Edo State and 203 centres in Ondo State in addition to our state offices in Benin City and Akure, making a total of 397 registration centres in the two states.”
Each centre will be managed by two officials drawn from our regular staff and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).”