INEC blames security agencies for Kano poll violence

Independent National Electoral Commission has blamed security agencies for the molestation of voters and electoral officers during the Kano State House of Assembly by-elections in Gaya and Garko constituencies last Saturday.
The commission, which frowned on the development, said the action was capable of subverting the nation’s political process and the fundamental principles of free, fair and credible elections.
A statement on Wednesday in Abuja by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu said, “electoral officials were intimidated, harassed and threatened, while some INEC supervisory officials were assaulted.”
He said, “INEC has received reports of assault, intimidation and harassment of voters and electoral officials during the by-elections into Gaya and Garko State Assembly constituencies in Kano State. The commission is highly disappointed that the culture of thuggery, intolerance and unruly conduct by partisans still bedevil the electoral process in our country.
“Regrettably, reports also showed that despite the overwhelming show of force by armed youths during the Kano State by-election, security agents failed to intervene. INEC is concerned that under the circumstance, the elections were conducted in an unwholesome atmosphere that interfered with voters’ exercise of their freedom of choice.”
According to him, field reports at the commission’s disposal revealed that armed youths disrupted the electoral process in some areas, harassing and intimidating innocent voters.
The commission therefore called on security agencies to remain vigilant and to “promptly intervene, whenever necessary, against the use of thuggery to intimidate or harass voters, thereby subverting the political process.”
Idowu, who, however, spoke with our correspondent in an interview, ruled out the cancellation of the poll following the thuggery.