FCT poll: INEC bans governors, NASS members from monitoring election
– The chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said only accredited people on legitimate election duties would be allowed to monitor the FCT poll
– The restriction also includes members of the House of Representatives Committee on INEC
– He appealed to all political parties and their supporters to maintain peace in the last days of their campaign
Ahead of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council poll on Saturday, April 9, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said that no governor, House of Representatives member or senator will be allowed to monitor the elections.
The INEC boss said only accredited people on legitimate election duties would be allowed to monitor the election, adding that the restriction also includes members of the House of Representatives Committee on INEC.
He disclosed this on Tuesday, April 5, at a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja.
“We have accredited observers and monitors and there is a procedure. Vehicles on legitimate election duties will be identified and therefore the prescription of movement is total,” he said.
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He said accreditation and voting would commence at exactly 8 am while the smart card readers had been configured and charged ahead of the election.
“I appeal to all political parties and their supporters to maintain peace in the last days of their campaign and during elections and beyond. Reports of the outbreak of violence resulting in loss of lives in Gwagwalada are worrisome to the commission. We are equally disturbed by the report to attack the INEC headquarters in Abaji, nevertheless, we have received assurances from security agencies of peaceful, free fair polls,” he said.
Wilson Inalegwu, the FCT Commissioner of Police, who represented the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, said the restriction of movement is between 7a.m. and 4p.m.
In another development, the INEC chairman has revealed a shocking reality confronting the commission ahead of the 69 elections to be conducted across the country this weekend.
He said the commission was worried because of the resurgence of violence, especially as it does not have control over security forces. He stressed that the commission cannot secure voting environment.
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