INEC threatens to blacklist political parties with violent congresses

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has threatened to blacklist political parties not capable of conducting peaceful congresses and primaries.

INEC disclosed that the current congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West and North-West geopolitical zones were defaced with violence, brutality and shootings.

The commission in a statement, on Monday, declared that it might not recognise the result of violent congresses if the pattern continues.

The statement named, ‘Conduct of Acrimonious Congress And Primaries By Political Parties’ was endorsed by INEC representative, Festus Okoye.

The statement read in part, “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.”