Kogi Election Won’t Be Rigged, INEC Boss Vows

Kogi Election Won’t Be Rigged, INEC Boss Vows

Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has vowed that the November 21 gubernatorial election in Kogi state will be free and fair pointing out that only Kogi state electorates will be deciding the next governor.

Kogi Election Won’t Be Rigged, INEC Boss Vows

The INEC made this disclosure on Monday, November 16, when had in audience the inspector general of police, Solomon Arase in Abuja, Daily Post reports.

He added that the apex election body will be in the state, Tuesday, November 17, to assure critical stakeholders on the commitment of the commission to uphold the sanctity of the ballot.

Yakubu said: “The only commitment we have to this country is to guarantee free, fair and peaceful poll.

“The decision as to who becomes the governor of Kogi state or any state in this country ultimately rest with the people.

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“ INEC will continue to uphold the sanctity of the ballot."

The INEC chief noted that though he and other members of the commission were only sworn-in a week ago, they will work on the existing system while making efforts to strengthen and deepen new process.

He pointed out further that the parley with the police chief was to consolidate on INEC’s commitment to ensure free and fair election adding that the management of electoral process was not INEC responsibility only.

In 2011, in response to the outbreak of violence after election, sometime before and during elections, the commission established the Inter-Agency Consultative on Election Security and this is at various levels.

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“At the national level such as this, it is co-chaired by INEC Chairman and the representative of the National Security Adviser; at state level, it is co-chaired by the Resident Electoral Commissioner and the state Commissioner of Police.

“At the local government level, it is by the electoral officers and the division police officer.

“The purpose is to create an atmosphere for Nigerians to go and freely vote for the candidate of their choice without fear, intimidation and harassment,’’ Yakubu stated.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress had raised an alarm alleging that there have been moves by the PDP to disenfranchise the electorate through the purchase of Permanent Voters Cards.

Source: Legit.ng

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