THE Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, has decried the spate of electoral violence recorded in recent elections and called for strict sanctions for offenders to stem the occurrence.

A statement posted on the commission’s Bulletin by Nick Dazang quoted Yakubu as speaking yesterday at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja during a consultative meeting with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the Media.

He said: “The symptom of violence is worrisome to the commission and we need to find ways out of it. Unless and until this nation decisively deals with electoral offenders this circle is likely to continue.”
 
The INEC chairman said the meeting was convened in recognition of the critical role of the CSOs and the media in the democratic process, adding that their observations, inputs, suggestions and advice play pivotal roles in improving the electoral process.