The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has
threatened to blacklist political parties unable to conduct peaceful
congresses.
The electoral umpire said in a statement on Monday that it
may not recognise the outcome of violent congresses if the trend does not stop
Recent congresses — particularly those by the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) — have been marred by violence.
Last week, thugs invaded the PDP zonal congress in
south-west just days before the exercise in the north-west was disrupted after
supporters from different camps clashed.
Festus Okoye, INEC spokesman, said the level of violence in
the congresses is making it “extremely difficult” for the commission to
exercise its oversight responsibility.
He said the commission’s properties are being destroyed in
the aftermath while the lives of participants and its staff are endangered.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
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