No fewer than 18 registered political parties in Zamfara state have signed an agreement with Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) for a peaceful campaign and adherence to provisions of electoral Act guidelines.
The Zamfara State Chairman of ICCES who is also the commissioner of police in the state, CP Kolo Yusuf in a meeting with leaders of political parties today at UBE training centre in Gusau said the discussion was for the overall conduct of 2023 General elections in the state.
“The meeting is aimed at stimulating healthy interaction and mutual discussion on matters relating to the security and overall conduct of the February, 2023 General Elections.
“The Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) is an adhoc Committee of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) made up of the Nigeria Police, Department of Security Services, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigerian Custom Service, National Orientation Agency and the Military under the auspices of INEC”.
According to him, one of the complex and fundamental chains in the success and credibility of the electoral processes is election security.
“The first challenge of Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) is the proper mapping out of electoral constituencies for purposes of providing adequate security.
“Therefore, the committee is the clearing house on election security matters engendered by the need to pool security assets together for efficient and effective deployment and management during the forthcoming elections”.
He assured political parties of the committee’s commitment and determination to create a conducive atmosphere for free, fair, credible and non-violent election come February, 2023.
“We shall not allow the process to be contaminated and/or tainted with thuggery, brigandage and violence.
“The involvement of quasi-security outfits during campaigns/rallies and other electoral processes is hereby banned.
“By signing the peace accord, we expect all Political Parties to campaign peacefully and adhere to guidelines of Electoral Act 2022 as amended”.
He further assured of adequate security coverage and reduce incidences of having two political parties campaigning in the same location at the same time.
The ICCES assured to remain neutral, fair to all and firm on matters that deviate from the rules of the game and receptive to genuine complaints.
“It is my hope that collectively, we shall deliver a free, fair, credible and non-violent before, during and after the election for the people of Zamfara State and Nigeria”.
