Edo Guber: Campaign Have Ended, INEC Tells Parties

…Treat every rigger as a criminal – PDP

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has told political parties contesting the Saturday’s Edo State governorship election that campaign has ended.

INEC in a statement issued by National Commissioner, Sam Olumekun reminded the parties that in line with Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, and item 12 of the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2024 Edo State governorship election, all campaigns by political parties end at midnight Thursday 19th September 2024.

“It is therefore illegal for any political party in Edo State to engage in rallies, processions or media campaigns from midnight today.

“These prohibitions, including sanctions, are provided for in Section 96 of the Electoral Act 2022,” he said.

Olumekun who is also Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, told the parties, candidates and their supporters not appear at the polling units in their campaign attires or carry any campaign materials with them.

“We urge parties, candidates and their supporters to take note of the provisions of the law for compliance,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has told the people of Edo State to treat any person who attempts to disrupt, manipulate or rig the governorship election as a criminal.

PDP in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, also called on the people of the state to defend themselves by resisting any attempt by fake security personnel “who are reportedly being deployed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to abduct innocent citizens, snatch ballot boxes and disrupt the election.”

The party stated that its directive is further predicated on alleged plans by the APC to garb its thugs with fake police and military uniforms to infiltrate the security agencies and unleash violence on innocent citizens before and on election day.

*Against this backdrop the PDP calls on the Inspector General of Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide designated identification badges to police and other security personnel assigned to specific polling units so as to prevent infiltration by APC fake security operatives,” the party added.

It called on the people of Edo State to use every legitimate means available in a democratic resistance to protect the democracy and ensure that nobody subverts the will of the people at the poll.

PDP accused APC of attempts to cause crisis and snatch ballot box in the election, but said they will be resisted the people and the law.

It called on INEC to ensure the credibility of the election “by insulating itself from the manipulations and antics of the APC which are capable of pitching the people against the Commission.

“INEC should also ensure that sensitive electoral materials including voters resister, ballot papers and result sheets for specified and particular polling units are delivered timely to their appropriate locations so as to prevent the possibility of a deliberate switching of such electoral materials to wrong locations.”

The party told its polling agents to be extra vigilant and inspect the INEC BVAS to ensure that they are not preloaded before accreditation and voting.

“They should ensure that all results are immediately and directly transmitted to INEC Portal and send copies of such results to the PDP Election Situation Room for documentation,” it added.