The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned against the high tension and panic created in the mind of people ahead of the Governorship election of the State.
The Election which is slated for 19th September, 2020 across the State.
INEC National Commissioner, Chairman information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Festus Okoye gave the warning during an interaction with heads of media organizations in Benin area of the State.
Okoye also called on leaders of all political parties to maintain peace and orderliness during and after the election as the COVID-19 pandemic has created an unusual electoral atmosphere never experienced before.
Okoye said “We are aware that INEC has never conducted elections under a pandemic situation.
“Therefore, this pandemic will make us evolve new strategies for electoral officials, adhoc staff, security agencies, voters and stakeholders.
“We don’t want anybody to jeopardise their health during the exercise and the commission will continue to fine tune the electoral process within the ambit of the Constitution.
“We have advised political parties not to play with end-of-tenure elections because anything that disturbs election from being conducted and concluded on or before November 10 will create constitutional crisis that may lead to a state of emergency,” Okoye said.
“This will warrant the incumbent Governor to seek President Muhammadu Buhari’s permission to declare a state of emergency in the State.
“My advice to all the political gladiators is that they should play by the rules of the game to avoid constitutional crisis arising from the election”.
Olaoluwa Adekunle
