The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the growing wave of election-related insecurity across the country, may lead to the cancellation or postponement of the forthcoming general polls.
Board of the Electoral Institute, an INEC’s Training Arm Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, made the observation on Monday, in Abuja at the validation of election security training resources.
Zuru noted that the development could hinder the declaration of election results and precipitate a constitutional crisis, the electoral umpire called for concerted efforts to stem the tide of violence.
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He said: “Consequently, in preparations for the 2023 general elections, the Commission is not leaving anything to chance in ensuring that intensive and extensive security is provided for election personnel, materials and processes.
“This is particularly significant to the Commission given the current insecurity challenges in various parts of the country and the fact that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members constitute the core of the polling unit election officials.
“Moreover, if the insecurity is not monitored and dealt with decisively, it could ultimately culminate in the cancellation and/or postponement of elections in sufficient constituencies to hinder declaration of elections results and precipitate constitutional crisis.
“This must not be allowed to happen and shall not be allowed to happen. Therefore, security personnel in particular and all election officials in general must be security conscious and alert to unusual activities in their environment and must be fully equipped to deal with any challenge at all times.”
Speaking when he appeared before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc committee investigating attacks on the facilities of the commission, recently, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, said the conduct of the 2023 elections might be affected if attacks on its offices continued.
