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Tag: Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

  • INEC insists on transmitting Ekiti, Osun election results electronically 

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Monday insisted that it would transmit the results of this year’s Ekiti and Osun State governorship elections electronically.

    According to its commissioner Muhammed Mustafa Lecky, one of the innovations that the commission is adopting for the 2019 elections is the electronic transmission of results and it has “come to the conclusion that this will be done come Ekiti and Osun elections.”

    He made this disclosure at the roundtable of The Electoral Institute (TEI) in Abuja. The theme of discussion was “Anambra Governorship Election: A Post-Mortem and Lessons for Ekiti and Osun States Governorship Polls.”

    The chairman of the Institute, Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu, had asked the commissioner to give an update on the electronic transmission of results.

    Lecky noted that INEC has discussed with the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) and all the telecom companies that have assured it of the feasibility of transmitting the results electronically.

    His words: “we have begun discussions with the Nigerian Communication Commission, and we have also discussed with MTN, Etisalat and all other telecommunication companies in Nigeria. We have been having meetings with them.”

    Lecky said from the last week Tuesday meeting, the telecom companies assured the commission in the successful electronic transmission of the results.

    The commission, he said, has taken steps to ensure the functionality of the card reader, stressing that “the aperture where you do the scanning of the finger has been enlarged.”

    He said that the smart card reader has been enhanced to function better in the two states elections, and measures are underway for the commission to improve on them in the 2019 elections.

    The chairman revealed that there are steps to “document the Voter Identification Number the Permanent Voters Cards to trace the phone numbers of the owners in order to send them text messages informing them where their PVCs are.”

    He however insisted that despite the effort, it remains the responsibility of the owners to collect them.

    He added that the commission is trying to make copies of the PVCs so that our registration area officers and other staff at the local government level and see how they can identify the owners for collection.

    The commission, according to him, is doing its best to ensure that the PVCs are collected, stressing that “the onus is still on the owners to collect his or her PVCs.”

    A discussant from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Stella Okunna, advised the INEC to avoid late arrival of election materials and prevent electoral officers from being induced.

    She charged the commission to ensure that its equipment would work and compel the operators of the ICT to function ethically during the Ekiti and Osun state governorship election.

    She recalled that voting buying took place under the nose of the police, INEC officers and others authorities unmolested during the last Anambra  State governorship election.

    She urged the government to deploy the army to arrest the situation if the police allow vote buying.

    Read Also: Osun Guber Poll: INEC releases timetable

  • Ghosts behind Melaye’s recall – APC

    The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Kogi, Alhaji Haddy Ametuo, says  “some ghosts “ initiated the  recall process against Sen. Dino Melaye.

    Ametuo,  who stated this in a statement issued in Lokoja on Sunday on the botched recall process,  expressed delight that the efforts had come to a premature end through the collective will of the people of Kogi West Senatorial District.

    “Melaye , the only senator our party has in Kogi State,  won with 94.66 per cent  leaving the remaining 5.34 per cent to the petitioners.

    “The messages are very clear; that Sen. Melaye is the most popular senator ever produced by Kogi West,” the statement said.

    According to the chairman, this is a sign of what to expect in the 2019 general elections.

    “No amount of financial inducement and coercion will change the will of the people of Kogi State in future elections,” he said.

    The APC Chairman commended the high level of neutrality and transparency displayed by the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) and other stakeholders throughout the exercise.

    “It gives us high optimism that future elections will be very free and fair. INEC therefore deserves commendations for the job well done,” he said.

    Ametuo called on the petitioners and Melaye as well as his followers  to embrace peace and heed the voice of God “ because the voice of the people is the voice of God.”

    He insisted that the APC still remains the most viable alternative for good governance in the state.

    “I call on all members of our party to conduct themselves in a manner  that will boost the image of our great party and not things that will further cause disrepute in our party,” he said.

    NAN

  • CSOs urge eligible voters in Anambra to register with INEC

    Civil Society Organisations ( CSOs ) have called on eligible voters in Anambra to register with the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) before the end of the current phase of the Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR ).

    The groups made the call in Awka during a one-day sensitisation workshop on Electoral Participation for youths on Sunday.

    Mrs Chioma Okeke, Coordinator, Shoulder for Gender Support and Development Initiative, decried the level of political apathy in Anambra and the South-East.

    Okeke called on the participants, mostly youths, to avail themselves with the window provided by the ongoing CVR and register.

    She said some of the identified challenges in registration of voters in Anambra include: absence of INEC registration officials at advertised venues, alleged extortion of those wishing to register by officials and non collection of Permanent Voter Cards ( PVCs ).

    “INEC has to do more to cover eligible voters in the ongoing registration process, while in some places, efforts are made to register people even up to going to their houses, here people go to designated places and the officials are not there,” she said.

    On his part, Mr Chukwuma Chukwura, Coordinator of Kingsfaith Development and Youth Empowerment Initiative, expressed concern that people could not take time off their daily routine to register or collect their PVCs at INEC office.

    He said the number of eligible voters said to have registered in Anambra was a far cry from the population of voters in the state.

    “It is a serious source of worry for us how our youths behave when it comes to politics.

    “They are very active on social media , posting all sort of things about Nigeria and some individuals but in practice, they are not doing anything; common registering to vote, they will not, for those that manage to register, go and get your PVC, no way.

    “Worse still, on the day of election you see them playing football and drinking at joints because they feel it is not their business, that is why very small per cent of them voted in the last governorship election in Anambra.

    “What we are saying is that INEC, the political class and communities should encourage those who have not registered to do so before the time is up,” he said.

    Addressing the participants, Mr Leo Nkedife, Head, Public Relations Department of INEC in Anambra , corroborated the CSOs’ observation that the turnout of people in the state for the CVR was poor.

    Nkedife urged the people to take advantage of the exercise to register, saying that registration was free.

    He urged the people to report any of the commission’s official(s) who demanded money before registering them.

    Nkedife disclosed that only 22 per cent of the 2.15 million voters in Anambra participated in the Nov. 18, 2107 governorship election, and that over 142,000 PVCs were still awaiting collection at the INEC office in the state.

    He said INEC had greatly improved in the conduct of elections as people’s votes now count.

    Prof Collins Okafor of the Department of Political Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, blamed the political apathy among the people on lack of confidence in the Nigerian electoral process.

    Okafor said apathy include; refusal to register, refusal to belong to a political party, refusal to vote and refusal to protest against rigging and other electoral malpractice.

    He said those who did not participate in politics contributed more to the political and economic crisis in the country.

    NAN

  • Melaye: Verification peaceful, low turnout in Lokoja, Koton-Karfe

    The verification exercise as part of processes for the recall of Sen. Dino Melaye representing Kogi West Senatorial District began peacefully on Saturday, but with low turnout.

    The newsmen correspondent, who monitored the exercise, which started at 8.00 a.m. in the two local governments reports that less than 20 per cent of petitioners had come out as at mid-day.

    At Ukwo-Okoriko Compound in Koton-Karfe, Ward A, unit 003 with 440 petitioners, only 18 had their signatures verified at about 11.00 a.m.

    The electoral officer, Musa Iliasu, said only 18 had been verified but added that it was only INEC that would say which signature was genuine or otherwise.

    At the Ohogabi polling unit near the public tap, 500 petitioners out of the 991 registered voters, only 43 petitioners had their signatures verified by 11:37 a.m.

    Similarly, in Banda, Lokoja Local Government, Oworo Ward 8, Unit 012 with 512 petitioners out of 1005 registered voters, only 40 were verified at about 12:09 p.m.

    At Oworo Ward 8, unit 004 with over 3,340 registered voters and 815 petitioners, none of the petitioners had shown up for the exercise at the time of filing this report.

    Read Also: Dino Melaye: Senate orders IGP to appear on Wednesday

    At Lokoja Club polling unit, Ward A, unit 016, with 875 petitioners only two had registered their presence at the unit and both complained that their signatures were forged as they were never part of the petitioners.

    One of the petitioners at Lokoja Club polling unit Ward A, unit 016, Samuel Olukotun, threatened to sue the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) for allegedly listing him and his wife as petitioners in the recall bid.

    Doris Ndakwo, a member representing Lokoja II at the State House of Assembly, said the process was new and people did not quite understand.

    She added that some people came out but could not find their names. Ndakwo, however, commended the peaceful disposition of the people.

    NAN

  • PDP member tells electorate to obtain Permanent Voter’s Card

    A Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) chieftain in Plateau, Mr Gwaman Datong, has urged the electorate to take part in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR ) to empower them for voting in the 2019 general elections.

    In a statement issued in Abuja by him on Friday, he said taking part in the exercise was the only way the electorate could have their choice of leaders.

    “I have been going round and meeting people telling them to make sure that they get registered and obtain their Permanent Voter’s Card ( PVC ).

    “This is because we can’t make the change we desired without getting the PVC,’’ Dalong, who is seeking PDP’s nomination to contest the state governorship election in 2019.

    He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) to engage in more aggressive campaign towards sensitising the electorate to CVR.

    “We need strong running system that will give constant information, especially those at the grassroots on the exercise,’’ Datong said.

    Stating his plan for the state if he became the governor of Plateau, Datong said his vision was to lay a solid foundation for the development of the state.

    “We will start by encouraging science education right from primary school because am looking at building for the future.

    “We are going to encourage going to the sciences because in the nearest future, we will have people to build the future for Plateau.

    Read Also: Southwest PDP tackles APC

    “Am not looking at the agricultural sector in terms of produce alone but how do we process the produce a little to add value.

    “I visited an incubation centre in Jos and I was shown carrot oil, I was surprised, because this is what we can harness as we have lots of carrots in the state.

    “So if we can work towards processing our carrots to a certain level, we will make lots of money from both internal and export market.

    “We also have lots of yam in the state, people come and buy them remove the water and send them back to us as yam powder; we can start processing them locally to make extra money,’’ Datong said.

    “Similarly, emphasis should be on women development programmes because women constitute more than 50 per cent of the population in the state,’’ Datong said.

    NAN

  • Melaye recall process to begin Saturday in 560 polling units

    More trouble appears to be in the offing for the embattled member representing Kogi West at the National Assembly, Senator Dino Melaye, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Wednesday in Lokoja, announced that it will conduct the signature verification exercise for his recall in seven local councils on Saturday.

    Addressing media in Lokoja, during the “Stakeholders Meeting on the Process of the Recall (Verification) of the Senator Representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Kogi State”, the INEC National Commissioner Supervising Kogi, Kwara and Nassarawa states, Mohammed Haruna, assured that the electoral body has no interest in the process, other than to ensure that the process is followed through as spelt out by the law.

    “INEC has absolutely no interest in who wins or loses”, he explained.

    He urged all concerned to adhere strictly with the laid down process as spelt out by the laws guiding the process.

    Highlighting the process so far undertaken, the Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. James Apam, explained that more than 50 percent of the constituents of the senatorial district, “plus at least one person”, must affirm that their signature or thumbprint must be verified by INEC national n the 560 polling units in the Kogi West Senatorial district.

    According to him, the process will be undertaken across the 560 wards of Kogi West, between 8am and 2pm on Saturday.

    He said that the Card Reader Machine will be employed for the exercise, adding that those who did not append the recall petition in the first instance, cannot partake, while polling units where malfunction is experienced, will be cancelled and/or redone, if the number involved will substantially affect the outcome.

    “All I want to tell you is that we are ready to commence on April 28, from 8am-2pm, in the seven LGAs of the senatorial district. What we are doing is in compliance with what the law says”, he explained.

    He added that applications from local observers will be entertained in Lokoja, the state capital, till Friday, April 27, 2018.

    Outcome of the signature verification exercise is expected to be made public on the following day (Sunday, April 29, 2018).

    Read Also: Police stop Melaye from travelling out of the country

  • Breaking: Court voids NASS attempt to alter election sequence

    …Says only INEC can fix dates for elections

     

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has voided Clause 25 of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018, which seeks to reverse the sequence of the conduct of the 2019 elections earlier announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in a judgment on Wednesday, held that the powers to organise, conduct and fix dates for elections resides only with INEC by virtue of Section 15(a) of the 3rd Schedule to the Constitution.

    Justice Mohammed said the passage of the Bill, which seeks to alter the election time table earlier released by INEC was a breach of the Constitution and the doctrine of separation of powers.

    The judgement was on the suit by Accord Party (AP), challenging the legitimacy of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018, to which President Muhammadu Buhari declined to assent.

    Justice Mohammed answered all the questions raised the suit for determination in favour of the plaintiff and granted all the reliefs by the sought plaintiff, except 11(1) which sought to restrain President Muhammadu Buhari from asserting to the Bill.

    The judge noted that granting such prayer was no longer necessary since the President has already declined signing the Bill.

    Before determining the main suit, the judge earlier dismissed the preliminary objection filed by the National Assembly (1st defendant) in which they argued among others that the suit was not justiciable, that the plaintiff were without the requisite locus standi and that the suit was academic.

    Justice Mohammed disagreed with the 1st defendant on all the grounds raised in the preliminary objection.

    Details later….

    Read Also: Senate writes CJN over alleged frivolous order on election sequence Bill

  • INEC takes PVC’s campaign to rural communities in Jigawa

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) in Jigawa has taken its campaign on acquisition of Permanent Voters’ Card ( PVC ) to rural communities.

    Alhaji Bilal Sabo, the INEC Officer in Gwaram Local Government Area of the state disclosed this at a stakeholders meeting on Wednesday.

    He stressed the need for rural dwellers in the state to acquire the PVC to enable them exercise their civic right.

    Read Also: 7.9m PVC uncollected, says INEC

    He urged Traditional Rulers in the area to enlighten their subjects on the need to acquire their PVCs ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Sabo was quoted by the council’s Information Officer, Malam Nasiru Yusif, as saying the commission had so far registered 7,650 voters in the area in ongoing nationwide Continues Voters Registration ( CVR ).

    “The Gwaram LG INEC office has so far registered 7,650 electorates,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • APC convention to hold May 15

    Barely any last minute change of plans, the elective National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) may hold on Monday, May 15, 2018.

    In a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) dated April 9, 2018 with the title, notice of conduct of congresses/national convention, the party it intend to conduct special local government congresses to elect delegates to the convention.

    The letter with reference number APC/NHDQ/INEC/19/018/010 signed by the National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni was received at the INEC office on the same day.

    It reads ‘we write to advise that our party is scheduled to conduct Ward, local government, state congresses and national convention to fill vacant offices arising from effusion of time or appointment into government offices, death and other reasons as stipulated in Article 17 of our party’s constitution.

    “Please be informed that we also intend to conduct special local government congresses to elect delegates to our forthcoming national convention, meanwhile, this serves as a formal notice in line with the provision of Electoral Act.”

    According to the letter, ward congresses are to hold on Wednesday, May 2, local government congresses to hold Saturday, May 5th, State congresses to hold on Wednesday, May 9 while the national convention will hold on May 16.

    The National Executive Committee of the party had directed the conduct of the national convention to elect new leaders for the party, but the letter was silent on this

    Meanwhile, a governorship aspirant of the party in Ekiti state, Bamidele Opeyemi has promised to be an unusual governor if elected into the exalted position.

    Opeyemi who is angling for the position on the platform of the ruling All progressive congress (APC) said he has developed a blueprint tagged “Keeping Hope Alive” required to chart the course of development of the state.

    Opeyemi who spoke to reporters after submitting his nomination form at the party secretariat in Abuja assured that he would redress the multifaceted problems plaguing Ekiti  state.

    According to him: “We will hit the ground running as soon as I am sworn into office because everything in Ekiti has been afflicted. I hope to intervene through the offer of a selfless and quality leadership.

    “We will make Ekiti one of the best state in the country. Already, I have conducted a town by town, and local government by local government analysis of resources available and the opportunities that could be utilized by the people of the state.”

    “My vision is to mobilise the people; particularly young men and women, to activate their latent potentials in consultation with relevant stake holders at the Local Government level with a view to evolving strategic roadmap for agricultural development and rural transformation in Ekiti state.”

    He singled out the revitalization of the economy, agricultural sector, ensuring qualitative education and the creation of employment opportunities as areas he would prioritized if voted into power.

    Promising that he would not let the allure of the governorship office to get into his head, he reiterated his faith in God to see him through in the governorship race.

    Read Also: APC gets convention committee

  • INEC swears in seven new RECs

    Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has sworn in seven new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) bringing the total number of serving RECs in the commission to 33.

    Performing the ceremony on Tuesday in Abuja, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, expressed confidence that the new RECs would contribute to the commission’s determination to make 2019 general elections the best in the country.

    He said “with the track records of service in the academia, public service and private sector, it is gratifying to note that the new RECs made positive contributions to the society in various ways.

    “I am equally delighted to note that some of you have managed elections at national level as RECs.

    “I am confident that you will bring to bear on your new assignments, the experience of the recent past that will contribute to our determination to make the 2019 general elections our best elections in Nigeria.”

    Yakubu advised the new commissioners to maintain openness and consultations, as well as be firm and courageous in carrying out their new assignments.

    The chairman disclosed that in addition to the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, the commission would be conducting four bye-elections this year to fill vacancies.

    These, according to him, include Takum state constituency in Taraba, Lokoja/Koton-Karfe Federal Constituency in c, Bauchi South Senatorial District, and Kastina North Senatorial District in Kastina State.

    The INEC boss reassured newly registered voters in the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR ) of getting their Permanent Voter Cards ( PVCs ) before the 2019 general elections.

    He added that “we have consistently reassured the public that for those who registered in 2017, their PVCs would be available for collection in the first week of May 2018.

    “Those who registered in the first quarter of this year, that is between January and March, as well as those who are registering right now in the second quarter of this year, would collect their cards thereafter.”

    Yakubu also reassured the public and those who applied for replacement of their PVCs that their cards would be available for collection before the 2019 general elections.

    Read Also: Wanted: An ‘independent’ INEC

    “For those who registered in Ekiti and Osun in 2017 and 2018, priority attention was given to the production of their PVCs, such that all the cards would be available ahead of the July 14 and Sept. 22 governorship elections,’’ he said.

    Responding on behalf of the new RECs, Mr Segun Agbaje, representing Ekiti State, pledged the new commissioner’s readiness to justify the confidence reposed in them.

    He said “by the grace of God, we shall finish well.”

    He expressed confidence in the leadership of Yakubu, saying “with your style of leadership, we would
    not be surprised if 2019 elections turned out to be the best elections in the country.”

    The new RECs are: Mr Baba Yusuf and Mr Segun Agbaje, representing Borno and Ekiti states for second term.

    Others are Dr Uthman Ajidagba, Kwara;  Yahaya Bello, Nasarawa State; Dr Emmanuel Hart, Rivers; Mohammed Ibrahim, Gombe and Dr Cyril Omorogbe, Edo.

    NAN