The Independent National Electoral Commission has expressed worry over the clashes between opposing parties and their supporters during the ongoing campaigns across the country.
The INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, stated this on Tuesday at the Training of Master Trainers on Technologies for the 2023 General Election.
He said, “The cause of clashes among parties and their supporters in some states of the country during electioneering campaigns is worrisome.
“Also, there are denials of access to public facilities for parties and candidates in some states of the federation.
“Let me caution parties and supporters to focus on issues and stay clear of attacks on each others.”
‘These are not only violations of the Electoral Act 2022 but also negate the voluntary commitment by all political parties and candidates to the letter and spirit of the Peace Accord signed about three weeks ago under the auspices of the National Peace Committee (NPC).”
“Parties, candidates and their supporters should not by acts of commission or omission further complicate the prevailing security situation in the country.
“A peaceful electioneering campaign is critical to the conduct of peaceful and credible elections.
Mahmood added that,”The Commission will continue to monitor the situation closely and will convene a meeting with leaders of political parties next week to discuss, among the other issues, the imperative of peaceful campaigns and equal access to public facilities. In the same vein, the Commission will also meet with the security agencies under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) next week.”
The Chairman’s warning is coming hours after PDP members were allegedly attacked in Kaduna and Zamfara States respectively.