The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has heeded the prayers of the Labour Party (LP) and suspended election in Enugu East Senatorial District, where the party’s senatorial candidate was murdered early in the week.
INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, told journalists in Abuja on Friday that the election in the senatorial district, earlier slated for Saturday, February 25, 2023, has been moved to March 11, 2023.
The postponement of the election in the district, which covers six local government areas, followed the LP’s request to the electoral body of its intention to provide a replacement and go ahead with the poll at the new date.
Chukwu and his personal assistant were assassinated on Wednesday when hoodlums attacked them and set their vehicle ablaze in the Eke-Otu Amechi-Awkunanaw area of Enugu. Some other persons died in the attack.
Said Yakubu, “The party also conveyed its intention to participate in the election for that constituency by replacing its deceased candidate. This request is in line with the provision of the law – Section 34, Sub-Section 1 of the Electoral Act 2022.”
“The Labour Party has provided satisfactory evidence of the death of its candidate. Consequently, the commission has suspended the election in the Senatorial district as provided by law.
“We have already communicated this decision to our Enugu State office.
“Therefore, there will be no senatorial election in Enugu East Senatorial District made up of six local government areas, 77 wards and 1,630 polling units tomorrow, February 25, 2023
“The election will now be combined with the governorship and state assemblies elections holding in the next two weeks, on 11th of March 2023.”
Meanwhile, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) says at least 60 attacks were recorded at political rallies leaving nine people dead and others injured since campaigns started in September last year.
In an Election Analysis Centre (EAC) brief, released ahead of the polls, the CDD said insecurity, fuel scarcity, naira policy of the apex bank and other issues may pose challenges for the conduct of elections.
The centre said said it had deployed over 4,993 trained and accredited observers, 42 data clerks and 15 fact-checkers and social media experts to monitor the elections.
“In the last quarter of 2022, violence targeting political parties reached its highest point since the previous general election in early 2019. In total there have been 60 attacks recorded on political rallies, resulting in nine fatalities since the start of campaigning on 28 September,” CDD said in the report made available to journalists.
The centre expressed fear over the mobilisation of non-state actors by political figures for activities, which undermine the credibility of the polls, stressing that such realities could further worsen the state of insecurity.
CDD added that the groups could utilise the financial and military resources acquired to further perpetuate criminality of all forms including kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and militant insurgency.
According to the CDD, while the insecurity they create itself portends dangers for the ability to conduct credible elections, politically sponsored violence could also be a determining factor in the outcome and acceptance of the polls.
It stressed that INEC may face serious security challenges to hold elections across several polling units in areas where insecurity has been prevalent, adding that the challenges have the potential to impact on the quality of the elections.
“It could even determine whether elections will be held all across the country given the threat they pose to the security of voters, electoral materials, and poll officials.
“The Nigerian Election Violence Tracker recorded at least 134 incidents involving INEC offices and staff between 2019 and 2022. Among these events are lootings, arson attacks, shootings, as well as abductions and assassinations of electoral officers,” CDD said.
To ensure seamless elections, CDD urged the government to ensure that key election stakeholders – in particular INEC and the security agencies have the necessary resources at their disposal to roll out their comprehensive plans for election day operations that ensure polls take place in a safe, free and fair environment.
It also asked political parties to ensure that their members and supporters adhere to the conditions laid out in the National Peace Accord through the voting process and after the announcement of results.
“INEC must continue to communicate regularly with Nigerians about the ongoing election process and is as transparent as possible during the collation and announcement of results,” the group added.