The Independent National Electoral Commission on Monday threatened to wield its big stick on political parties whose congresses and meetings degenerate into violence and destruction of properties.

The commission also threatened to withdraw its staff from monitoring such violent political party meetings.

INEC National Commissioner and chairman (Information and Voter Education Committee), Festus Okoye, in a statement titled, ‘Conduct of acrimonious congresses and primaries by political parties,’ said the level of violence in some of the congresses was making it difficult for the commission to exercise its statutory oversight responsibility.

He said, “Political parties are reminded that they have a clear obligation to ensure that their congresses and conventions are orderly, democratic and in accordance with extant legal framework.

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“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. 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.”