The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it would not declare results of the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo if violence disrupts the electoral process.
INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this at a virtual workshop organised by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in partnership with the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), while speaking on the preparations for the polls, the Nation reports.
“Where the election is disrupted and the commission cannot vouch for the integrity of the process, we will not go ahead to make any declaration. And this we have told the political parties point-blank; you either behave for the elections to be concluded in a free and fair manner or we do what the law says.
“If we can’t vouch for the credibility of the process, there is no point concluding it and making declaration. That we have committed to,” Professor Yakubu said.
The INEC chief said beyond the commission, election disruption should be blamed on the political class and the security challenges.
“The commission will not endorse fraud and what is clearly outside the minimum standard we have set for the conduct of credible elections anywhere,” Professor Yakubu affirmed.
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