INEC gives condition for elections in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has given conditions for elections to be conducted in the crisis-stricken states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

The electoral body said unless Nigeria’s security agencies guarantee the security and safety of its staff, ad-hoc and permanent, elections will not hold in the troubled states.

Kayode Idowu, Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega, gave the hint in a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Monday.

Mr. Idowu had earlier spoken on the matter on television, and was later quoted by some newspapers as saying there would not be elections the three North-eastern states.

But speaking to PREMIUM TIMES, he denied categorically ruling out elections in any part of the country.

“I only reiterated INEC’s position that there would be elections in the three states in question, only if there is guarantee for security and safety of both permanent and ad-hoc staff of the Commission,” Mr. Idowu said.

Speaking further, “INEC has always expressed its readiness to conduct elections in the North-east but the condition is that security agencies and military authorities must guarantee the security and safety of INEC staff.”

Asked if efforts are already being made to get the said guarantee from the security agencies, Mr. Idowu said, “of course, INEC has always been working with the security agencies at the inter-committee meetings.”