The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has stressed that prompt action by the National Peace Committee (NPC), will minimize incidences of electoral violence in the 2023 general election.
Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, stated this during a meeting with the delegation of the National Peace Committee and the Representatives of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, among others at the INEC headquarters Abuja.
At the event, Mahmood noted that there’s a need for the National Peace Committee to intervene and engage with some of the political actors early enough to surmount security challenges that may hinder voter turnouts.
Thus calling for stringent action by the General Abdulsalam Abubakar led Committee so as to boost voter’s confidence. “one of the things that the National Peace Committee can help us do in terms of mitigating security challenges is early intervention.
“Not just signing the peace accord on the eve of elections, but imagine that some of those who perpetrate violence on election day are not necessarily candidates in the election, but are people engaged by beneficiaries of the election. So if we can engage with the actors early enough, I hope that we will be able to turn a new leaf in that respect”.
Speaking on the emergence of the NPC in 2015, and its impact on the peaceful conduct of political actors, the electoral umpire while pledging collaboration of all stakeholders appeals to the committee to continue to play a key role in the country’s offseason elections to enhance transparency in the electoral process.
“we will keep working with the National Peace Committee on how we can deepen this engagement and conversation, where we notice something smoldering
On his part, the leader of the National Peace Accord delegation Bishop Mathew Kukah said their aim is to identify impending challenges facing the Commission ahead of the 2023 general election.
Thus commending the electoral body for supporting the Peace Accord’s vision.
