In view of tackling the current insecurity bedeviling the South East, Anambra state in particular, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, held an emergency meeting to discuss the way forward with regards to Anambra November 6th gubernatorial election. The Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting took place at the INEC conference room in Abuja on Tuesday.
Welcoming the participants, The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said that since the last meeting held on the fourth of September, 2021, the security situation in the state has deteriorated sharply with killings and destruction of property. He said that the reports they have gathered show that the goal of the attackers is for the election to not hold, which makes it worrisome for the commission.
He also expressed fear that the electoral facilitites and materials in the state could become targets again.
The Chairman maintained that the commission is particularly concerned about the safety of voters and Election Day staff,including security officials, who have recently become targets of the attacks . He stated that the thousands of young Nigerians that they intend to deploy for the election, mostly, National Youth Service Corps members and university students must be assured of their safety.
He also mentioned that Wards, Polling Units, amounting to over 6000 locations that will be protected, 26,000 officials, all add to the magnitude of the challenge of securing the Anambra Governorship election which is only 32 days away.
Stating their commitment to work with the security agencies and respected opinion leaders in Anambra state and the National Peace Committee to ensure that the hit and run attacks do not derail the election process, Prof Mahmood assured the people of Anambra that the election will hold as scheduled.
To implement this, the Commission said it will implement two more activities on the timetable for the election in the next few days. He also said that the register of voters will be presented to political parties in Awka on seventh October, 2021. The Commission will also on the same day, publish the final list of candidates for the election.
He expressed confidence that they will firm up on specific measures to further guarantee the safety of all persons involved in the election from the voters, election officials, observers, media organisations and the security of election materials.
Present at the meeting were the National Security Adviser,Heads of various security organisations, Other members of ICCES, National Commissioners, among others.
