Governorship Elections In Kogi, Bayelsa And Imo States Will Be Very Key – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission has come out to say that the November 11 governorship polls in Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo states are very crucial.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu recently revealed this to the press, and Nigerians have been reacting.

According to him, INEC will keep interceding with the security agencies to grant election observers unimpeded access to voting and collation locations, and all accredited observers must strictly adhere to the code of conduct for election observation.

The commission added that election is a multi-stakeholder activity, so all stakeholders must continue to be engaged.

His words, “Election is a multi-stakeholder activity. In discharging our responsibilities, we will continue to engage with all stakeholders. One of such engagements is with the security agencies.

In previous elections, civil society organizations have expressed concern about the safety of persons involved in elections as well as the protection of the process, including polling units and collation centres.

Similarly, civil society organisations have on several occasions urged the Commission to intercede with the security agencies to grant you unimpeded access to voting and collation locations.

I want to reassure you that we will continue to do so as we engage with the security agencies both at the national level and in the three States.

At the same time, I wish to remind all accredited observers to strictly adhere to the code of conduct for election observation.

Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi Governorship elections are critical to the Commission. At this meeting, we will fully brief you about our level of preparations. In return, we will appreciate your comments and observations.”