Ekiti Poll: Police warn against unofficial results, situation room flags flashpoints

n n

By Dayo Johnson & Rotimi Ojomoyela — Ado Ekiti

n

With less than 24 hours to the Ekiti State gubernatorial election, the State Police Command has warned individuals and groups against announcing unofficial results, declaring that anyone caught spreading fake or unauthorized outcomes will face the full weight of the law.

n

The police said only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is constitutionally empowered to announce election results, stressing that security agencies will not tolerate attempts to undermine the credibility of the electoral process through false information.

n

Commissioner of Police for the Ekiti Gubernatorial Election, Abayomi Shogunle, said the Electoral Act 2022 clearly stipulates offences relating to the conduct of elections, including the unauthorized announcement of results.

n

Shogunle added that police will actively monitor the information space and go after individuals attempting to circulate fabricated results capable of causing confusion or inciting unrest.

n

“The Electoral Act is very clear on certain conducts that constitute electoral offences. One of them is announcing unofficial election results.

n

” It is INEC that has the statutory power to declare election results and it is only what INEC declares that everybody should disseminate,” he said.

n

“We are also going to be looking for people who declare election results that are not correct.

n

“The simple answer to that is yes, we are also using technology. But again, I don’t want to reveal those technologies so that people will not try to circumvent these actions.”

n

On ballot box snatching, Shogunle said the command has adopted measures to deter and apprehend anyone attempting to snatch or destroy ballot boxes.

n

“One of these measures is the restriction of vehicular movement.

n

” Apart from the exempted categories of persons already announced, nobody will be allowed to move around with vehicles, motorcycles or any mechanically propelled means of transportation on election day,” he said.

n

“We are also deploying police personnel to strategic locations because anyone intending to cause trouble must come from somewhere and move towards the polling units where such acts may occur.

n

“Likewise, after committing such acts, they would need to leave for another location. We have therefore put measures in place at strategic points to prevent such incidents from happening.”

n

*** Situation room raises security, vote-buying concerns

n

In another development, the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has raised concerns over security threats and vote trading ahead of Saturday’s poll, urging security agencies, electoral officials and political actors to ensure a peaceful and credible election.

n

The coalition of over 70 civil society organisations, in a preliminary statement issued in Ado-Ekiti and jointly signed by Co-Conveners Celestine Odo and Mma Odi, said the state remained largely calm but identified certain LGAs as potential flashpoints.

n

Ado-Ekiti LGA was flagged as the highest-risk area due to the concentration of political actors and election-related activities.

n

The group also noted political tensions and signs of voter apathy in Ikole LGA, while voter intimidation was highlighted as a major concern in Moba LGA.

n

The Situation Room also expressed concern over the persistent challenge of vote trading, describing it as a growing threat to electoral integrity in Ekiti and across the country.

n

According to the coalition, insecurity and fears of possible spillover violence from neighbouring Kogi State pose significant risks in Ilejemeje LGA. Ikere-Ekiti and Irepodun/Ifelodun LGAs were classified as secondary flashpoints due to misinformation and rising political tensions.

n

“Situation Room will observe the security environment and its impact on voter participation.

n

“Citizens should be able to exercise their democratic rights without fear, intimidation, violence or harassment,” the statement read.

n

The group urged INEC to ensure timely deployment of personnel and materials, while calling on the Police and EFCC to proactively prevent, detect and prosecute electoral offenders.

n

” It also charged political parties and candidates to conduct themselves peacefully and respect the rule of law.

n n