The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged political parties to consider Saturday’s governorship and Houses of Assembly elections as a contest and not a war.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this at an Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.

Yakubu urged political leaders to refrain from acts that may mar the election or compromise the security of INEC personnel, observers, and other stakeholders.

He said the governorship election would hold in 28 states, with the exception of Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo, and Osun states where the election was conducted off-cycle.

He added that the Houses of Assembly election would hold in all the 993 state constituencies across the country.

“Unlike the last elections involving 470 constituencies (one 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).

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“There will also be more candidates involved and more collation centres to protect. They 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,” Yakubu said.

The INEC chairman further commended the security agencies for their professional conduct during the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections.

Yakubu said INEC looked forward to an improved performance in Saturday’s elections, adding: “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.”

In his remarks, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (Retd), enjoined politicians to call their supporters to order to ensure peaceful conduct of Saturday’s elections.

Mongonu said individuals who had plans to undermine the election process must have a re-think or face the consequences of their actions.

Mongonu pledged that security agencies would continue to give support to all stakeholders in the elections to exercise their franchise and responsibilities.

The Star