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Tag: Guber poll

  • 8, 000 ad hoc staff for Bayelsa guber poll -INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Bayelsa has said that more than 8, 000 ad hoc staff would be engaged in the Dec.5 governorship election in the state.

    Mr Baritor Kpagih, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa on Saturday.

    He said that the commission’s permanent staff would also be actively involved in the conduct of the election.

    “We will involve ad hoc staff, more than 8, 000 of them will be recruited; definitely in election period, most of our permanent staff are always involved.

    “The ad hoc staff have been trained on what they should be doing while on duty; some of them were trained at the local government area headquarters.

    “INEC in Bayelsa is working with the electoral guidelines and we will continue to do our best in ensuring that the governorship election in the state is succesful,’’ he said.

    Miss Chinelo Okoafor, a member of the National Youth Service Corps in Bayelsa, told NAN that she was one of the trainees, saying that she was ready to work in accordance with INEC guidelines.

    “During the training we were taught so many things, I believe we are going to ensure the most credible and acceptable election,’’ she observed.

  • ‘INEC ready for Kogi, Bayelsa polls’

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed its readiness for the Kogi and Bayelsa States gubernatorial elections.

    The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, stated this at the inaugural meeting of the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters and Political Affairs in Abuja.

    Yakubu said people’s votes will count in the elections.

    He said although a standard had been set by his predecessor, Prof. Attahiru Jega, INEC under his watch would do very well.

    “INEC is ready for Kogi and Bayelsa elections, whatever the people decide, that is what we are committed to. We are committed to building on the success of the 2015 elections,” he stated.

    The INEC chief revealed that an additional 48, 000 people have been further registered with their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) ready and distributed.

     

     

  • Guber poll: Tribunal dismisses LP petition in Cross River

    The governorship election petitions tribunal sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, on Friday dismissed a petition filed by the Labour Party governorship candidate, Ntufam Fidelis Ugbo, challenging the victory of Governor Ben Ayade of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, in the April 14 poll.

    The petitioner is seeking the nullification of the election citing irregularities in the exercise.

    In a plea made to the Chairman of the tribunal, Hon. Justice Mohammed Aliyu Mayaki, Ugbo’s lawyer, Mr. Bolutife Olusegun, appealed to the court to dismiss the case.

    Olusegun said the withdrawal was for the unity, peace and overall development of the state.

    The petitioner had on Thursday filed an application to withdraw the case.

    Justice Mayaki after considering the submissions of various parties granted the application.

  • Anambra flood victims stopped from accreditation

    About three thousand voters affected by last year’s flood were stopped from the accreditation process in many centres across Anambra State on Saturday.

    The victims reportedly lost their cards to the flood. Mostly affected are eligible voters in Anambra East and Ogbaru local councils.

    Some of the flood victims who came out for accreditation were not accredited although their names and photographs were found in the voters’ register.

    The disenfranchised voters made the complaints when the traditional ruler of Aguleri, Igwe Christopher Idigo arrived St. Jude Catholic church voting centre for accreditation.

    Disturbed by the complaints, the Igwe with some members of his council immediately sought for a solution.

    They approached the Independent National Electoral Commission officials who referred them to the Supervisory Officer.

    After consulting with the Supervisory officer who gave her name as Chinenye Okonkwo, the party agents at the polling centre were summoned.

    It was agreed between the INEC officials and all the party agents that the affected voters be allowed to vote as long as their names and photographs were in the register.

    As soon as the decision was communicated to the affected voters, they jumped into jubilation, singing praises of the royal father.