…Rules out postponement
By Emeka Alex Duru
Despite the rumoured threats of possible disruption of the November 6 Anambra governorship poll by segments of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has ruled out engaging the organisation in the conduct of the election. This was disclosed by the INEC National Commissioner for Information, Festus Okoye in an appearance on Arise Television Morning Show on Thursday.
There have been allegations of IPOB threatening to disrupt the elections. Reports even indicate that out of this fear, many candidates are not coming out to campaign openly. Branded vehicles of political parties have also been withdrawn from the roads.
According to the INEC Commissioner, the Commission has a constitutional responsibility that demands it to ensure conduct of elections. To that extent, it engages civil society organisations, political parties, traditional institutions and all the stakeholders necessary for successful conduct of elections. But on interfacing with IPOB, Okoye maintained that “INEC cannot go out of its way to engage an organisation that the |Federal Government has declared illegal”.
He stressed that duties of INEC are strictly with preparations and processes leading to the conduct of elections but that of electoral security is a function of security agents.
Okoye emphasised that postponement of the poll, is not an option because of the constitutional implications.
He assured that the commission is ready for the exercise, despite obvious challenges facing it. To this effect, he disclosed that the various burnt or damaged facilities of the agency needed for the election, are being repaired or reconstructed. Insensitive election materials needed for the exercise, he added, have been moved to Awka, Anambra state capital.
The Commissioner explained that the security agents and Anambra electorate have shown their readiness for the election, stressing that INEC is doing everything possible to ensure a credible outing. Part of the arrangements, he said, are massive voter education on radios, televisions, and the social media. Okoye gave assurance of security for the INEC adhoc staff, pledging that they would be provided with insurance cover. “We are not toying with the security of the adhoc staff”, he stated.
