The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said that political parties taking part in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State are expected to sign a peace accord on the 21st of September.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stated this on Thursday at an emergency meeting with national chairmen and secretaries of all the registered political parties.
He said the decision to sign the peace accord early is to enable the National Peace Committee to monitor compliance by the parties before the election.
Yakubu condemned the attitude of political parties for failing to heed to laid down rules, particularly regarding the upload of particulars of their polling and collation agents for the Edo Governorship election.
He said, “After consultation with the National Peace Committee (NPC) under the leadership of our respected former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the signing of the Peace Accord for the Edo State Governorship election will take place on Thursday 12th September 2024 in Benin City.
“Supported by eminent members of the Peace Committee, the occasion will be presided over by the chairman, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
“You may notice that unlike the previous peace, accords signed a few days before the election, it was decided to do so early this time around to enable the Peace Committee to monitor compliance with the code voluntarily signed by parties, candidates and other critical players in the electoral process such as INEC and the security agencies during the remaining days to the election.”