The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has pledged its commitment to conduct peaceful and credible elections in Edo and Ondo states, saying that doing otherwise will pave way for a “constitutional logjam that may be difficult to resolve.”
This was disclosed by the Chairman, Information and Voters Education Committee, Festus Okoye at a sensitisation forum for the media in Benin, on Thursday, Punch published.
Speaking on the importance of going ahead with the poll, Okoye said “Political Parties and all the critical stakeholders in the electoral process must see the conduct of these elections as a national project that must be executed in strict compliance with all the safety protocols.
“There is no alternative to the peaceful conduct of these elections as the alternative will leave the people of the two states with a constitutional logjam that may be difficult to resolve.
“On our part, we are determined and resolved to proceed with the conduct of the Edo and Ondo Governorship elections and all the outstanding bye-elections. In doing so, the Commission will not compromise the safety and welfare of its staff, ad-hoc staff as well as the voters. We will work closely with the security agencies to arrest threats and degrade acts of violence.”
The Edo State election will mark the first to be conducted under the COVID-19 pandemic, hence it is important for journalists to be conversant with the new normal, stated the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Johnson Sinikiem.