COVID-19 Pandemic: INEC Issues Guidelines for Conduct of Edo, Ondo Guber Elections

COVID-19 Pandemic: INEC Issues Guidelines for Conduct of Edo, Ondo Guber Elections

Restating its commitment to hold governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states as scheduled, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a new policy guidelines for the conduct of elections in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. The policy was released with a statement personally signed by INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu on Monday. In

Restating its commitment to hold governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states as scheduled, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a new policy guidelines for the conduct of elections in the context of COVID-19 pandemic.

The policy was released with a statement personally signed by INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu on Monday. In it the Chairman said INEC is committed to conducting all elections that are due within the extant legal framework putting a premium on public safety and mitigation of health risks from COVID-19 pandemic.

Governorship election in Edo State will hold on September 19 while that of Ondo State will hold on October 10, 2020.

Among the measures put in place for the safety of its staff, officials and voters include the provision of infrared thermometers at the registration areas, collation centers, the local government area collation centers and the state collation centers.

The use of face masks is mandatory for all involved in the election process and must be worn at all election locations; the Commission shall provide face masks for all election officials; and alcohol based hand sanitizers will be provided for election officials at the polling units.

Also, methylated Spirit and cotton wool will be provided for the disinfection of the Smart Card Readers (SCRs) after the fingerprint of each voter is read; while the rules of physical distancing shall be enforced at all election activities including stakeholder engagements, training, queuing at Polling Units.

All protocols issued by the NCDC, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, State Committees on COVID-19 and other relevant health authorities shall be observed by election officials and all stakeholders. The Commission shall work with the PTF and health authorities to have in place a system of voluntary COVID-19 testing for INEC staff before and after deploying for elections.

Other provisions in the new policy include:

That “the Commission shall work with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and health authorities in the States having elections to develop a protocol for dealing with persons who show symptoms of COVID-19 at election venues.

“Where an election official, a voter or any other person present at an election venue shows symptoms of COVID-19: the prevailing protocol shall be observed; the person must be isolated from other persons at the venue; the attention of the security personnel should be drawn; the dedicated number for COVID – 19 emergencies shall be called; and if the affected person is an election official, the Commission must be notified through the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC)”.

Due to the prohibitive cost of conducting bye-elections, INEC hopes to engage the legislature and other stakeholders to explore ways of responding by taking a cue from the Supreme Court position that votes belong to political parties noting that 10% of all bye-elections since 2015 did the party that won originally lose the election.

INEC also wants to engage relevant authorities, including the legislature, to designate election as an essential service to enable the Commission function effectively in times of national emergency.

Ayo Aluko-Olokun
ADMINISTRATOR
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