The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

Police nab eight kidnap suspects in Adamawa

The police in Adamawa have arrested eight persons, suspected to be behind kidnapping cases in the state.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Moses Jitoboh, told newsmen on Tuesday in Yola, that the suspects were arrested on Sept. 23 , in Mubi South Local Government Area of the state.

Jitoboh explained that their arrest was as a result of intensive security patrol by men of his command.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspected kidnappers include one locally made pistol, two live 7.62 millimeter ammunition, 58 live cartridges and seven empty cartridges.

“Others are one double-barreled gun, two masks, one ear protector, two military helmets and SIM cards, among others,” Jitoboh said.

He said the police had also arrested three suspects for criminal conspiracy, store-breaking and stealing of property belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ).

According to the police commissioner, the suspects were arrested for stealing 120 laptops belonging to the Adamawa INEC office on June 19, 2017.

He gave assurance that the command would continue to collaborate with the other security agencies in the state to protect lives and property of the citizens.

NAN

October 31, 2017
Anambra Poll: Group urges candidates to embrace issues-based campaign

The Democrat, a Non-Government Organisation, (NGO), has urged political parties and their candidates in Anambra to embrace issues-based campaign and shun comments that could incite their followers during campaigns.

The organisation’s National Leader, Mr Kehinde Ojuawo, who made the call in a statement on Tuesday in Ibadan, said it had become necessary as the November 18 governorship election in Anambra state draws closer.

Ojuawo maintained that the political parties and their candidates should refrain from abusive utterances and hate speeches, so that the electorate can know what candidates want to do if elected.

He called on the people to use the period of the campaign to assess the candidates and also shun any form of financial inducement from the candidates or their agents.

According to him, the relevant authorities should begin voter education, so as to ensure that there large turnout of the people on the election date.

Ojuawo urged the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) to monitor the electioneering in the state and evoke necessary sanctions on political parties and candidates that cause violence during the campaign.

“Disqualification of the political parties and candidates that cause violence should be enforced,” he said.

NAN

October 31, 2017
LG election: ENSIEC ready for Nov. 4 election – Chairman

The Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission ( ENSIEC ) says it is set for the Nov. 4 local government election in the state and will use true and certified Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) register for the exercise.

The Chairman of ENSIEC, Dr Mike Ajogwu (SAN), said this in an interview in Enugu on Sunday.

He said ENSIEC had fixed the election for Nov. 4, adding that the exercise would take place simultaneously in the 17 council areas and 261 political wards, for the chairmanship and councillorship positions.

Ajogwu, who said that the commission would not use card readers in the election, assured that it was fully prepared for the exercise.

He also assured that ENSIEC had concluded all arrangements, including training of permanent and ad-hoc staff for the election.

According to him, the commission has been interacting with stakeholders in the election with a view to ensuring a hitch-free and successful exercise.

Ajogwu also assured that all materials for the election are ready and secured; adding that the commission would ensure they were deployed in due time on the D-day.

“ENSIEC wants to create a level playing field for all the candidates, irrespective of party affiliation.

“As an unbiased umpire, the commission’s office is always open to receive genuine complaints and make amend, where need be.

“We try as much as possible to carry everyone along, especially our stakeholders.

“However, ENSIEC must stick to its rules and guidelines known to all in order to be fair to all.’’

NAN

October 29, 2017
APC wins House of Rep bye-election in Sokoto

The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) on Sunday declared All Progressive ( APC ) candidate, Alhaji Abdullahi Kalambaina, as winner of Saturday’s Kware/Wamakko Federal Constituency’s bye-election in Sokoto State.

Kalambaina polled 31,288 votes to defeat his closest rival, Alhaji Aminu Bello-Kware of the People Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 7,205.

The Returning Officer, Prof. Abdulatif Usman, said 43,130 voters were accredited for the bye-election out of 176,825 total registered voters in the constituency.

Usman said 42,532 eligible voters cast their votes with 40,046 valid while 2,486 votes were rejected.

According to him, Kabir Altine of ACPN scored 62 votes, Umaru Muhammad of ADC 80, Muktar Umar of APA 342, Aliyu Bilyaminu APGA 121, Abubakar Bello DA 32 and Jamilu Imam of DPP scored 155 votes.

Others were; Abdullahi Abubakar GPN 326, Abubakar Ahmad KOWA 33, Kabiru Al-mustapha MMN 24, Abubakar Sama’ila MPPP 19, Kabiru Ahmad NCP 28, Umar Ma’azu NDLP 50, Aminu Mustapha NEPP 33 and Yahaya Muhammad of NCP scored 105 votes.

He further listed Nura Abubakar of PPP 38, Nasiru Garba SDP 27, Abdulrahman Dalhatu UPN 15, Sanusi Aliyu UPP 06 and Shehu Buba of YPP scored 05 votes while the only woman contestant Hafsatu Umar of A party scored 52 votes.

Usman, therefore, declared Kalambaina as the winner having garnered the highest votes as stipulated in the electoral law.

The election followed the death of the occupant of the seat Muhammad Wammako in July.

NAN

October 29, 2017
Our problems will persist until we find enduring solutions to identity – CHAMS GMD

Chams Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading companies has evolved over the last 3 decades from computer and hardware maintenance to the provision of enterprise technology solutions in identity management and identity transaction systems for the public and private sectors.

Recently, it facilitated the identification process for the government of the state of Osun. The initiative called ‘Kaadi Omoluabi’ has received several accolades and commendations from the Osun citizenry and other stakeholders within and outside the state.

Mr. OLUFEMI WILLIAMS, the Group Managing Director of the firm, in an interview with The Nation reporter MOSES EMORINKEN sheds some light on the relevance and ubiquitous benefits and solutions of data capturing to the social, economic and political problems bedeviling the country.

What is the relevance of the Omoluabi Identity Card to the Osun citizenry?

As His Excellency, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the executive governor of the state of Osun mentioned at the launch of the initiative on Tuesday, the Identity Card Initiative is about knowing the people that he governs. There is no way the government can plan or manage the affairs of the state, especially with respect to what the people want without detailed understanding of biometric statistics.

It also helps the government measure the effectiveness of the services it delivers to the people.

It creates a platform for any member of the state to conveniently transact with the government and vice-versa.

For instance, if the government wants to build new schools or construct new roads, it can easily make objective and informed decisions about which part(s) of the state needs these infrastructural facilities depending on the population of the people, where economic transactions are preponderant, etc.

It allows government institutions to have interconnected database. It cuts out the duplicity in registering and capturing biometric data of its citizenry. This initiative provides a unique number that can be used for such purposes.

We did it for students and the impact was major. Immediately, the cost of managing, sponsoring and promoting affairs around the educational sector was optimized. Before then, there were haphazard approaches because of the paucity in statistics.

Now, with the touch of a button the educational details of a child for can be generated. This leads to measurable results over time.

How long did it take CHAMS to come up with this solution?

This is the forte and core competence area of CHAMS. We have participated in similar projects in the past. We have been on this project for four years. The reason was because the government had more pressing project at the time before very recently it decided to take up the Identity Card Initiative.

This novel innovation in identity capturing is not only opened to indigenes of the state but also to residents within the state.

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What is the level of response of the people of the state to this initiative?

The responses have been very encouraging from members of private organisations and the civil society. They believe that the initiative is very timely and custom-made for the people and government of the state.

Does CHAMS have plans to diversify into other real sectors?

Our core focus lies in delivering intelligent business solutions. However, there are two major industries we intend to dominate in the next few months, they are – Agriculture and Health acre. For now, that is all we can reveal.

Is it possible to have a central database for the biometric data of Nigeria to avoid proliferation and duplicity?

This can be answered in two ways – technical and political. I have an authoritative response to the former but with little or no political explanations for the later.

Technically, one of the projects awarded for data capturing in 1976 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo would have solved it. However, the problems of awarding and re-awarding contracts have brought us to where we are today.

The only solution is what the Federal Government is trying to do – which is harmonization. There is a need to harmonize these databases together. The process will be challenging but not impossible to do. At the moment there exists huge repository of data at the Federal Road Safety Commission ( FRSC ), sim card registration centres, Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ), Nigerian Communications Commission ( NCC ), states etc. There are solutions and technologies that can harmonize data effectively.

What exactly is CHAMS as an organisation doing differently?

Every business goes through series of transformations. For CHAMS, we have evolved overtime according to the overwhelming changes in the needs, expectations and taste of consumers. We started as a Computer Hardware and Maintenance Company, to Networking and then to Smart Card Technology. It was the Smart Card Technology that led to the formation of value card; which was the first successful payment card in Nigeria.

After a while, we moved into Identity Management because we realised that the problem(s) of this country will not disappear until we solve the processes of identity. Identity is like the Certificate of Ownership (C of O) for land. The (C of O) is an ordinary document, however, because we believe that the (C of O) represents a land somewhere, we can conveniently do a transaction with it. The same things can be done with the identity number to represent a person.

The next phase for us is to translate the business from just Identity Management into intelligent businesses that can be built on identity. We have the human capital to deliver. We have a bunch of experienced, versatile and energetic executives to drive the processes.

What should we expect from charms in the next 5 years?

We would have dominated two industries and be listed on the London Stock Exchange.

October 26, 2017
We have not given up on Melaye’s recall – INEC Chairman

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Mahmood Yakubu has said his agency has not given up on the process for the recall of Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West Senatorial District.

He said the process was only being delayed by the court and the legal process initiated by Melaye.

The INEC Chair said his agency has ensured that all within its powers have done to ensure a hitch-free election in Anambra State

Yakubu spoke in Abuja Tuesday at a dialogue session with civil society organisations under the aegis of Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room.

He said INEC has learnt some lessons from the Melaye recall process and has now reviewed its regulations and guidelines to provide room for the participation of civil society organisations and other stakeholders.

Yakubu, who explained the seeming delay in the Melaye case, said “These are legal processes. We cannot, as law abiding agency, ignore the court and just proceed.

“Supposing we do so, proceed; conclude the process and the court nullifies it? So we said we will continue to obey the law on this matter of recall. But I will not like to say more, because the matter is already before the court,” he said.

On the Anambra election, he said INEC has put in place all measures to ensure a transparent, free and fair election.

One of such measures, he said was to ensure that no opportunity was created for anyone to dispute the election, including the omission of candidate’s name and party logo.

Yakubu said: “The preparation we have put in place for Anambra is simply amasing. We have done all that needs to be done to ensure a successful outing. We have finished printing the voters’ register in triplicate. One in colour, two in black and white.

“I am telling you that in Anambra, there is no possibility of omitting the logo of any political party.

“And, we will supervise the processes to ensure that no logo is omitted in the course of printing, or any of the processes leading to the delivery of the ballots.

“We have, as usual, customise the ballot papers. Each Local Government will have a different colour code. So, even if somebody wants to print his ballot paper, he doesn’t know which colour is for which Local Government.

“There is also a secret code, which only myself and the printer know. Nobody in the commission knows this.

“We have also customised the result sheets. It makes it easier because you have the names of the political parties, then you column for the raw figures, the figures in wards and signatures by the agents,” he said.

On the threat by IPOB to disrupt the election in Anambra, he said INEC was capable of countering the group’s propaganda, but would leave the issue to security agencies should the group resort to physically stopping voters from participating in the election.

Yakubu said the delay in the conduct of the rerun election in Anambra Central Senatorial District was because of the pending court case.

He expressed the hope that, since the Court of Appeal has reserved judgment in the case, INEC will conduct the election with the coming governorship and House of Assembly elections should the appellate court deliver judgment before the scheduled elections.

Coordinator of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and Executive Director Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) said the dialogue session was meant to enable INEC educate Nigerians on its preparation for the Anambra election and related issues.

October 24, 2017
UPP, APDA call for fair play in Anambra election

Dr Sylvster Igwilo, Chairman of United Progressives Party ( UPP ) in Anambra said that the party was confident of winning the Nov. 18 governorship election in the state if every stakeholder play by the rules.

Igwilo made this known in Awka on Sunday that the party’s candidate, Chief Osita Chidoka was the most qualified from the array of candidates in the race.

He said Chidoka had better plans for the people of the state and have been addressing issues that bordered on the common man in his campaigns.

Igwilo warned other parties to comply with the efforts aimed at minimising irregularities during and after the Nov. 18 governorship election.

“My party is quite prepared for this election, we know it is not going to be easy and as you know, UPP has the most credible candidates among all others in the race.

“Chidoka is well known and accepted by the people, a former Minister and FRSC Corps Marshal who is interested in the state and how to put back on track economic prosperity and sustainable development.’’

Igwilo said the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) was doing well compared to the previous years in terms of preparation for elections.

According to him, if things are to go by the assurances INEC has given, then the election would be free and fair.

“My appeal is that other party chairmen should play by the rules, their agents should be properly identified with passport to enable us know who is who.

“There are some people that are not serious about this election. they are just interested in what they will get through sharp practices,” he said.

Also speaking, Mrs Adaeze Okafor, candidate of the Advanced People Democratic Alliance ( APDA ) raised alarm at what she described as increasing monetary cost of the election.

Okafor said it was as if the election was a do-or-die affairs from the way some candidates of the big parties were going about in their campaigns.

According to her, candidates and their supporters should see election as opportunity to serve and not avenues for amassing wealth.

She noted that some of the issues raised in the campaigns so far had not addressed the wellbeing of the ordinary people of Anambra but an attack on persons.

“Issues are not addressed in the campaigns, they have not said how they are going to build the people and make their lives better.

“The role of money in this election is becoming too much, some parties have set a lot of money aside to pay for votes.

“Other candidates are throwing money around in the market places as if their lives depend on the election.’’

She called on the INEC to restrict people from going close to the electorate during voting and to stop votes buying.

NAN

October 23, 2017
INEC: registered voters may hit 80m by 2019

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has projected that the registered voters might increase by about 10 million to over 80 million by 2019.

The Commission’s Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, made the prediction at a roundtable organised by the European Union Electoral Follow-up Mission to Nigeria and West Africa, held in Abuja.

A statement by Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi yesterday in Abuja, noted that the roundtable was also attended by Civil Society Organisations and other stakeholders.

On the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), Yakubu said that no fewer than 3.2 million Nigerians had been register in addition to the 70 million registered voters for the 2015 general elections.

According to him, the credibility of election depends on the credibility of the Voter Register. We are now doing it continuously. We have seen some challenges and we are responding to them.

“We started in April and as at last week, and we have registered 3.2 million Nigerians on top of the 70 million registered voters for the 2015 general elections.

“Our projection is that the Voter Register will probably be over 80 million by 2019,” Yakubu said.

He said about eight million Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were yet to be collected by respective owners.

“We haven’t made much progress in the last two years, but we have made elaborate arrangements with the states to ensure that the cards are collected.”

Giving a summary of the Commission’s preparations towards the 2019 general elections, Yakubu said that INEC would come up with a figure of the cost for 2019 general elections hopefully by next week.

According to the chairman, the commission has a Strategic Plan 2017 – 2021 and a Strategic Programme of Action.

“We have just completed the draft Election Project Plan for 2019,” he said.

Yakubu said that as at today, INEC had conducted elections into 172 constituencies since the 2015 general elections.

“The last election was three weeks ago in Gombe, the next election will come up in eight days’ time in Sokoto, followed by the Anambra governorship elections.

“We have issued the timetable for Ekiti and Osun governorship elections.”

Yakubu said that in Bayelsa in January 2016, INEC combined accreditation and voting simultaneously, adding that it was well received and has been going on very well.

Also on the November 18, Anambra governorship election, Yakubu restated that the governorship election would be combined with the Idemili North state constituency election.

According to him, all arrangements – logistics, staff training, and security are already in place, while nine out of the 14 activities lined up for the governorship poll had executed.

On expressed fears that the security agencies could postpone the election at the last minute, the INEC Chairman observed that the responsibility of securing the environment before, during and after elections was not within the Commission’s jurisdiction.

He said bethat at it may, INEC would continue to maintains a close relationship with all security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

He said that was why the commission had also decided to issue the timetable and schedule of activities well ahead of all elections.

“In Anambra, we issued the timetable in February for an election that will take place in November. We have done the same for Ekiti and Osun.

“We have taken care, in both cases, to avoid party politics, national festivals and students’ examinations.

“The last (governorship) election in Ekiti took place on June 14, but June next year is likely to coincide with the fasting period and Salah.

“Since the law says that we should conduct the election at least 30 days to the end of the tenure (of the incumbent), we shifted it to July when there is no festival or examination.

“The same for Osun – instead of August 4, we’ll conduct the election in September.

“Interestingly in Osun’s case, we have given a one-year notice and we have always made copies of the timetable and schedule of activities available to the security agencies,” he said.

On party primaries, Yakubu alluded to the Electoral Act, which provides that once the national headquarters of a political party recommends a candidate to the Commission for election, the Commission could not reject such candidate.

“I think it was an amendment to the Electoral Act, borne out of our previous experience where the Commission with the security agencies were disqualifying candidates.

“The power was taken from the Commission and given back to the political parties.

“The parties have a role to play in strengthening our political processes.”

October 23, 2017
INEC begins staff training on voter education in Ebonyi – REC

Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has begun training of its staff on voter education to end voters’ apathy in the Ebonyi state in preparation for 2019 elections.

The Ebonyi Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Godswill Obioma, made this known in an interview on Friday in Abakaliki.

He explained that only 30 per cent of eligible voters participated in the electoral process in the state, saying that the commission was determined to change the situation for the better.

He said that the training was designed to build capacity of the trainees so as to be able take voter education to the grassroots and to effectively mobilise the people to participate in the electoral process.

The REC said that the training of the commission’s staff on voter education was part of strategies and preparation to ensure mass participation in the 2019 general elections in the state

According to him, voter education is a critical component in the electoral process because it is used in mobilising the voter to carry out their civic duties at a stipulated time.

The INEC chief noted that the beauty of participatory democracy rest in the ability of greater number of the people to participate in the process of choosing their leaders.

“Lack of proper voter education has made most eligible voters to shun participation in the electoral process and such a decision often results in the emergence of non-credible leaders.

“It is an important civic responsibility of every adult to participate in all the electoral processes including voter registration, voting in an election and ensuring that your votes are protected.

“A situation where only insignificant 30 per cent of eligible voting population participate in the electoral process is unacceptable and we are working hard to change the people’s mindset,” Obioma said.

Obioma also called for support from the media, traditional rulers, politicians, their supporters and other stakeholders in the political process in ensuring the success of the voter education in the state.

NAN

October 20, 2017
‘INEC is working to achieve credible election in Cross River’

The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) is working towards achieving 100 per cent free, fair and credible election in Cross River in 2019.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner ( REC ) in the state, Dr Frankland Biriyai, made the statement on Tuesday in Calabar at a one-day workshop on voter Education and Publicity.

The workshop was orgnised by INEC for Assistant Electoral Officers from the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

“This training will ensure that we achieve a record 100 per cent success in Cross River in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

“We are ready to achieve that; that is why you are being trained to go to your local government areas and educate the voters that we are in a new era.

“I am sure that between now and 2019 if you do your work very well, voters will have faith in us and believe that we can conduct free, fair and credible election come 2019.

“I urge you to maintain discipline and to keep working hard so that together we can do it, ‘’ Frankland said.

The REC said the training was designed to take voter education to the grassroots through sensitisation and publicity.

He insisted that INEC was capable of conducting credible elections that could be adjudged the best in the world.

The Head of Department, Voter Education, Mrs Anthonia Nwobi, said the workshop would afford the officers the opportunity to learn new rules and guidelines that would assist them in their duties.

She described voter education and publicity as key and paramount to the success of any election.

NAN

October 17, 2017