INEC Blows Hot, Threatens To Blacklist Parties Over Violent Congresses

Political parties unable to conduct peaceful congresses and engage in violent fiascos that threaten lives and destroy property will be blacklisted.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) made this known in a statement on Monday by its spokesman, Festus Okoye.

According to Okoye, the electoral body may not recognise the outcome of violent congresses if the trend continues in the country.

He added that INEC may also withdraw its staff from monitoring such violent political party meetings, with the resultant non-recognition of their outcomes.

He said the commission’s properties are being destroyed in the aftermath while the lives of participants and its staff are endangered.

Okoye said: “This Commission will not stand askance and watch party conventions and congresses degenerate into farcical rituals and violent fiascos that threaten lives and destroy property.

“For the avoidance of doubt, INEC will henceforth reconsider its involvement in these events, should they continue to put lives of members of the public and staff of the Commission at risk.

“Henceforth, there will be far-reaching consequences in any situation where party congresses and conventions degenerate into violence and destruction of INEC property. Apart from replacing such destroyed materials, parties may be blacklisted from the receipt of INEC materials for their activities in the future.

“The Commission may also withdraw its staff from monitoring such violent political party meetings, with the resultant non-recognition of their outcomes.”

Naija News reports that recent congresses conducted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been marred by violence.

Last week, thugs invaded the PDP zonal congress in South West just days before the exercise in the North West was disrupted after supporters from different camps clashed.