BREAKING: We may suspend 2019 General Elections – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has hinted that the 2019 general elections may be suspended following threats of violence by some politicians in the country.

INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu made this comment on Tuesday while reacting to some disturbing videos of Political campaigns on Social media with some politicians threatening to shed blood.

Yakubu spoke after he received a briefing from the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State on the progress and the preparedness of the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

He called on politicians to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner. In his words;

“In fact, the Electoral Act, especially section 26, empowers the commission to suspend election on account of violence or threat of violence. “So, we will continue to partner and continue to work with the security agencies as we approach the 2019 general election. Our meetings are going to become more frequent and regular”.

Yakubu explained that the synergy between the electoral body and security agencies is crucial for the 2019 polls in order to secure the environment for the conduct of the elections. Insisting that there is no way election can be conducted except the nation maintains order, peace, and progress, he continued:

“Elections cannot be conducted in an atmosphere of rancor. So, we share this great responsibility with the security agencies. Good election is good for this country. Bad election is a recipe for disaster; we don’t pray for it. “So, let us continue to work together to anticipate the challenges and address the challenges because we have the capacity to do so. The nation expects we should do so and once we do so, there will be fewer problems during elections”.

“We see statements by some of the political actors captured and circulated nationwide via social media platforms. It is something that the security agencies need to put an eye on because if we allow this to pester, it will encourage those who may wish to do some destructive actions or feel encouraged to do so.

“But if we take immediate action, I think we may be able to stop them and further secure the environment for us to conduct free, fair and credible elections”.