INEC warns political parties against acrimonious congresses, primaries

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has watched with utmost dismay and profound concern the recurrent acrimony, violence and destruction of property, including the Commission’s property and equipment, which have characterized some recent political party congresses across the country.

This was contained in a statement released by INEC National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, on Monday in Abuja.

“The level of violence in some of the Congresses is making it extremely difficult for the Commission to exercise its statutory oversight responsibility enshrined in Sections 85 and 87 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended),” the Commission stated.

The Commission noted that political party congresses and conventions constitute a very important aspect of the electoral process and democracy generally in Nigeria.

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INEC added that it is mandated by law to monitor political parties during such meetings as they elect their leaders at various levels of party organization.

Destruction of INEC Property

The Commission stated that in one such Congress in Kaduna recently, violence broke out leading to the destruction of the Commission’s ballot boxes.

“Political parties are reminded that they have a clear obligation to ensure that their Congresses and Conventions are orderly, democratic and in accordance with extant legal framework, their own constitutions and guidelines, as well as INEC’s regulations and guidelines.

“This Commission will not stand askance and watch party conventions and congresses degenerate into farcical rituals and violent fiascos that threaten lives and destroy property. For the avoidance of doubt, INEC will henceforth reconsider its involvement in these events, should they continue to put lives of members of the public and staff of the Commission at risk.

“Henceforth, there will be far-reaching consequences in any situation where party congresses and conventions degenerate into violence and destruction of INEC property.

“Apart from replacing such destroyed materials, parties may be blacklisted from the receipt of INEC materials for their activities in the future.

“The Commission may also withdraw its staff from monitoring such violent political party meetings, with the resultant non-recognition of their outcomes,” INEC said.

The Commission reminded political parties of forthcoming primaries to select their candidates for upcoming elections and by-elections, particularly those for the Anambra State Governorship election and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.

“Parties must stick to the respective Timetable and Schedule of Activities for these elections as released by the Commission, which have been communicated to them and are available at the INEC website (www.inec.gov.ng).

“Parties must ensure that their primaries are peaceful and orderly. Above all, they must adhere strictly to the Electoral Act, INEC Regulations and Guidelines, as well as party constitutions and rules, which are domiciled with the Commission,” it said.

INEC further charged political parties to hold themselves to standards of openness, fairness, peaceful conduct and adherence to rules in the conduct of their internal processes just as they hold the Commission to the same standards during elections.

PRESS RELEASE
Conduct of Acrimonious Congresses and Primaries by Political Parties pic.twitter.com/wWM6cXgIFr

— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) April 19, 2021

“INEC remains deeply concerned about the acrimony and violence within parties such that there are now more suits in various courts of law arising from party congresses and primaries than from elections conducted by the Commission.

“Still, the Commission will continue to work with political parties in support of their internal functioning in order to build strong and democratic parties in Nigeria.” It concluded.

PR/Zainab Sa’id