The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) pledged not to give in to what it called “electoral banditry” aimed at discrediting the electoral process and delivering predetermined results.
Mr. Festus Okoye, National Commissioner of INEC and Chairman of the Voter Information and Education Committee, made the vow during an interview with NAN on Sunday in Abuja.
Okoye was speaking on the decision to indefinitely suspend the Ekiti State East District 1 elections held on Saturday in Ekiti State.
He said the decision was necessary to preserve the integrity of the elections in the country, as well as to safeguard the lives of citizens.
Okoye said for the commission to conduct an election in the face of brazen violence that has compromised the integrity of an election would amount to a breach of its electoral duty.
He noted that the Ekiti State Resident Election Commissioner (REC) issued a statement detailing the level of violence against voters, election officials, and security personnel on election missions.
The INEC commissioner said the commission had strengthened the CER situation report for Ekiti by imposing an indefinite postponement of the state 1 constituency by-election.
“These measures are necessary to preserve the integrity of the elections and the lives and safety of voters, election officials and security personnel on election missions.
“INEC will never tolerate election banditry aimed at discrediting the electoral process and delivering predetermined results,” he said.
News360 Info recalls that after the murder of three people shot dead by armed men while a policewoman, a member of the corps, and staff of the INEC were shot and wounded during the elections on Saturday, the commission suspended the exercise.