Guber Poll: Call Your Supporters to Order – NSA Monguno, INEC Chair Charge Politicians
The National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno has urged political parties and candidates to demonstrate high levels of discipline and maturity during and after the polls while advising them to also call their supporters to order
Munguno was speaking on the preparations ahead of the gubernatorial and state assembly elections slated for March 18, 2023.
The call was made today at the meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security in Abuja.
“While commending the efforts of the various political parties and the individuals that participated in the last elections, especially those of them that called for peace and calm, I want to also urge same individuals, especially at the state level to demonstrate the same level of maturity, discipline by calling their supporters to conduct themselves in a manner that is congruent with the expectations of a larger Nigerian society. Of course, there are channels for laying and addressing complaints.
“What we do not want to happen is for anybody to take the law into his or her own hands. We are going to give the maximum support to all entities involved in this process. And we are also calling on political parties to call their people to order.”
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In his remarks, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, advised political parties to caution their supporters, stating that the March 18 elections are a contest and not war.
He urged the IGP to handle all cases of electoral offences as the commission looks forward to receiving the case files.
Yakubu explained, “The governorship and state assembly elections this weekend involve more constituencies than the national elections held about three weeks ago. Unlike the last elections involving 470 constituencies (1 Presidential, 109 Senatorial Districts and 360 House of Representatives seats), the state elections will involve 1,021 constituencies (28 governorship and 993 State Assembly seats). There will also be more candidates involved and more collation centres to protect. There are also local elections involving keen contests.
“It is therefore important for parties and candidates to speak to their agents and supporters to see the elections as a contest and not war. They should refrain from acts of violence that may mar the elections or compromise the security of our personnel, observers, the media and service providers.
“The commission is encouraged by the directive to state commands by the Inspector General of Police to handle all cases of electoral offences expeditiously. We look forward to receiving the case files. We will immediately set up a legal team to handle such cases in earnest.”
