As the November 16 Ondo State Governorship election draws near, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that candidates will sign a peace accord on November 8, facilitated by the National Peace Committee, led by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
This move aims to ensure a peaceful and violence-free election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this announcement during a quarterly consultative meeting with Civil Society Organisations in Abuja on Thursday.
“On this note, I am also glad to announce that the National Peace Committee… is holding the signing of the Peace Accord for parties and candidates in Ondo State on Friday, November 8, 2024,” Yakubu said.
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Yakubu also highlighted potential hotspots in Ondo State, noting that the commission is coordinating with security agencies to prevent violence.
“However, we are aware of flashpoints in some Local Government Areas to which we have already drawn the attention of the security agencies,” he added.
To ensure election readiness, INEC has reported progress, with nearly 72% of registered voters collecting their Permanent Voter Cards. A mock accreditation exercise is scheduled for November 6 in selected polling units to test result uploads on the INEC Result Viewing portal.
Yakubu emphasized the importance of contributions from civil society in promoting peaceful elections. He urged CSOs that observed the recent Edo Governorship election to submit their reports promptly.
“As the Ondo State Governorship approaches, I wish to remind CSOs… to do so in earnest,” he noted.
INEC will conduct a final assessment of logistical arrangements and collaborate with security agencies to address potential flashpoints.
“As early as next week, the Commission will undertake a final readiness assessment… meet with our officials, engage with stakeholders, and interact with the security agencies and transport providers,” Yakubu said.
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