The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that the signing of a peace accord for the Edo State governorship election will take place on September 12, 2024, in Benin City.
The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, shared this update during a meeting with political parties in Abuja on Thursday, providing crucial details on preparations for the upcoming election.
“After consultation with the National Peace Committee under the leadership of our respected former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar GCFR, the signing of the Peace Accord for the Edo State governorship election will take place on Thursday, September 12, 2024, in Benin City. Supported by eminent members of the Peace Committee, the occasion will be presided over by the Chairman, General Abdulsalami Abubakar,” Yakubu stated.
He explained that the peace accord is being organized earlier than usual to allow the Peace Committee to monitor compliance with the code signed by parties, candidates, INEC, and security agencies during the remaining days leading up to the election.
The Chairman also mentioned a Mock Accreditation exercise set for September 10 to test the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the uploading of results. With 22 days to the election, Yakubu noted that INEC has completed 10 out of the 13 planned activities, including the presentation of the final register of 2,629,025 voters.
“In the coming days, several other activities have been scheduled. On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, the Commission will conduct a Mock Accreditation of voters to test-run the deployment of BVAS for the election as well as the upload of results to the INEC Result Viewing portal,” he explained.
Yakubu emphasized that all preparations for the election, including voter education, training of security personnel, and logistical arrangements, are ongoing. “Observer accreditation tags are being produced. The portal for media accreditation closes next week, and so far, 88 media organizations have applied by uploading the details of 698 personnel to cover the election,” he added.
The National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Dantalle, urged political parties to respect the mandate of the people and ensure a credible electoral process. “After 25 years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria, we must get it right this time,” he said.
Dantalle also called on parties to conduct issue-based campaigns, avoid violence, and focus on national unity and development. He highlighted IPAC’s role in ensuring a peaceful and credible election, stating that the council will work closely with INEC, security agencies, and election observers to guarantee that every vote counts.
