INEC to security agents: Arrest anyone involved in violent conduct during elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone involved in violent conduct, including statements capable of breaching peace in the country ahead of the 2023 general election.

INEC, while expressing concern on violent attacks on supporters of political parties across the country, said only agents accredited by the commission will be allowed at polling units and collation centres during the 2023 general poll.

The chairman of the electoral umpire, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this at a meeting with leaders of political parties at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday.

Yakubu said: “The Commission is finalising the issuance of 1,642,386 identification tags for the polling and collation agents nominated by the 18 political parties made up of 1,574,301 polling agents and 68,085 collation agents.

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“I urge the Chairmen and leaders of political parties to ensure that only agents accredited by the Commission and wearing the correct identification tags appear at polling units and collation centres during elections.

“A situation where two or more agents claim to represent a political party, resulting in commotion at polling units or collation centres, is unacceptable. Only identification tags issued by the Commission will be recognised on election day and violators are liable to arrest and prosecution for impersonation.

“Turning to the ongoing electioneering campaigns, the Commission is concerned about violent attacks on supporters of political parties across the board, resulting in the loss of life in some cases.

“Let me once again appeal to chairman and leaders of political parties to continue to call your candidates and supporters to order.

“I also call on the security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies to arrest, investigate and prosecute anyone involved in violent conduct, including incendiary statements capable of inciting a breach of the peace,” the INEC boss stated.

The Star