The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has threatened to blacklist political parties unable to conduct peaceful congresses.
Festus Okoye, spokesman of the commission, in a statement on Monday also said the electoral body will not recognize the outcome of congresses that are not peaceful.
In recent time, party faithfuls during congresses often resort to violence with the latest occuring during the South-West congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State.
“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,” Mr Okoye warned. “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,” the electoral umpire added.
