As the Edo State Governorship Election approaches, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has said that only 14 political parties have so far uploaded the details of 38,354 polling agents and 819 collation agents for the election.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu who disclosed at the Consultation Meeting with political parties, in Abuja said that three parties were yet to upload a single polling agent while five parties have not uploaded any agent for Ward, Local Government and State collation centers.
While stressing that the deadline was tomorrow Tuesday 30th July 2024, the Chief Electoral Umpire urged the political parties yetnto upload the required information to ensure they meet the deadline to enable the Commission produce the accreditation tags for prompt delivery for distribution to their party agents.
“As the Edo State Governorship approaches, I wish to remind leaders of political parties of your obligation to submit the list of your agents by uploading the required information, including photographs, to the dedicated portal. This requirement is listed as item 9 on the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election released by the Commission nearly a year ago on 26th September 2023.
“As at yesterday, Sunday 28th July 2024, 14 political parties have uploaded the details of 38,354 polling agents and 819 collation agents for the Edo State Governorship election.
“Three parties are yet to upload a single polling agent while five parties have not uploaded a single agent for Ward, Local Government and State collation centers.
The deadline is tomorrow Tuesday 30th July 2024 when the portal automatically shuts down at midnight.
“I urge you to ensure that you meet the deadline so that the Commission can produce the accreditation tags and deliver them to you for distribution to your agents in good time”, the INEC Chairman said.
Prof. Yakubu however assured of the Commission’s commitment to the safety of
candidates, agents, supporters, its officials, observers, as well as journalists, service providers and, voters during the election.
“The Commission finds the recent event in Edo State resulting in the death of a security personnel worrisome. Happily, there has been no incident known to the Commission since then. Nevertheless, the Commission will meet with the security agencies under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
” I want to assure you that security in Edo and Ondo will be a major issue for discussion at the meeting. We are as concerned about the safety of your candidates, agents and supporters as we are about the security of our own officials, observers, journalists, service providers and, above all, the voters”, he said.
On his part, the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, called for the scrapping of States Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs).
The Council also opposed the proposed bill by the Senate to create a Local Government, describing it as unacceptable.
“To further deepen democracy at the grassroots level, IPAC demands the immediate scrapping of the States Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs).
“The charade called elections they conduct is an aberration, dent and mockery of our emerging democracy; a waste of tax payers’ money that ought to have been channeled to developmental projects.
“SIECS do not have voter registers, BVAS, IReV portals, ballot boxes and trained personnel to conduct credible elections. The polls they pretend to conduct contribute to voters’ apathy and distrust in the electoral process.
“To restore confidence in the electoral system, INEC should be empowered to conduct all Local Government elections. Politics is local, citizens should be encouraged to actively participate in grassroots politics and contribute in building a better society”, he said.
IPAC therefore called for the amendment of the Constitution and the Electoral Act to empower INEC to conduct all Local Governments polls.
“Council rejects the proposed bill by the Senate to create the so-called Local Government Independent Electoral Commission, bearing in mind that it would be another SIEC in disguise.
“It is unacceptable, ill-conceived, another electoral jamboree that will impede the nation’s democracy and waste public funds at a time when citizens demand a smaller government to reduce the cost of governance.
“Addressing the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Electoral Matters last week, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu said the commission had the capacity to conduct all Local Government elections as it did for FCT Area Councils generally adjudged to be free and fair and without rancour. IPAC supports this and urges the National Assembly to amend the relevant electoral laws to accommodate it”, he said.
