As preparations for the 2023 general election reach critical stage, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has warned against any action capable of creating the impression of harassment of its officials or infringement of the independence of the commission.
INEC’s warning, which was contained in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, followed the invitation of the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Dr Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem, by the Edo State Police Command.
While welcoming clarification from Edo State Police Command, in a statement that Sinikiem was only invited to provide insight into some technical issues regarding INEC’s processes and nothing more, the commission pointed out that any other official of the commission assigned by the REC could have provided the required insight.
“Alternatively, a visit to our State Office by the Commissioner of Police or his assigned representative could have achieved the same goal as has been the tradition in our collaborative relationship with security agencies.
“For emphasis, our REC in Edo State, Dr Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem, is a conscientious public officer and co-chairman of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) at State level. He was the sitting REC when the last Governorship election was conducted in Edo State on 19th September 2020 which was adjudged to be free, fair and credible,” the statement said.
INEC also dismissed reports that the REC was invited and detained by the Edo State Police Command yesterday 28th July 2022 in connection with matters arising from the recent primaries conducted by a political party in the State, adding that “he was neither detained nor is he personally under investigation as media reports suggested.”
