On Friday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) met with stakeholders to discuss security concerns for the governorship election in Bayelsa state.

INEC made the announcement via its X (previously Twitter) feed, with security being a primary priority ahead of the Bayelsa gubernatorial election.

“Happening Now: Security is top on the agenda, as a critical meeting between the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and members of the Bayelsa State Chapter of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), gets underway at the INEC State Headquarters, Yenegoa,” the text of the post said.

According to the electoral commission, security agencies are vital to the effective conduct of the Bayelsa gubernatorial election on November 11, 2023. The INEC team also includes six national commissioners, the technical team, and directors, according to the announcement.

Yakubu, meanwhile, recently made an appeal to political parties to keep the peace and eschew violence in the campaign for the November 11 off-season gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo states.

Alarmed by reports of increasing cases of pre-election violence, he urged political parties to warn their supporters against engaging in violence or disrupting the forthcoming elections in the three states.

“I appeal to party leaders for introspection on the conduct of your candidates and their supporters,” the INEC chairman said.

“The use of thugs during elections to harass election officials, intimidate voters and disrupt processes, sometimes resulting in the destruction of election materials or even worse must be addressed.

“Campaigns in the public by parties and candidates in the three states commenced on July 14, 2023, as provided in the timetable and schedule of activities for the governorship elections.

“Sadly, there are already disturbing reports of clashes between opposing parties with claims and counter-claims of innocence or culpability. These claims help no one. Rein in your supporters.”