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Tag: Inec

  • INEC to close case today in Ekiti governorship poll dispute

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to close its defence today as the first defendant in the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the last governorship election in Ekiti State, Prof Kolapo Olusola.

    Olusola and PDP are challenging the outcome of the June 14 governorship election, which INEC said the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Kayode Fayemi, won.

    INEC’s lawyer, Charles Edosomwan (SAN), told the Ekiti State Governorship Election Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, yesterday, that he intended to close his client’s defence today.

    INEC, APC and Fayemi are listed as first, second and third respondents in the petition by the PDP and Olusola.

    Edowomwan tendered, yesterday, certified true copies (CTC) of election results from some registration centres in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti South West, Emure and Ilejemeje local government areas.

    Lawyers to the APC and Fayemi, Mr Aking Olujinmi (SAN) and Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), did not object to the tendering of the results contained in Forms EC40G.

    Lawyer to the petitioners, Rowland Otaru (SAN), objected to the admission of the results, but said he would give reasons for his objection at the stage of address.

    Tribunal Chairman, Justice Suleiman Belgore, admitted the copies of the results as exhibits.

    At a point, Edosomwan sought an adjournment to enable him get more copies of the results, which he said would be brought from Ekiti today.

    He said he intended to close the first defendant’s case today, after tendering the next set of results.

    Otaru, Olujinmi and Fagbemi did not object to Edosomwan’s request for an adjournment.

    Justice Belgore adjourned till noon today.

    INEC has called about 16 witnesses since it opened its defence on November 5. The commission and the other respondents are allocated 10 days each to present their case.

    The petitioners, who were allocated 14 days, called about 71 witnesses and tendered documentary evidence from October 17 when they opened their case.

    At the conclusion of INEC’s defence, it would be the turn of APC to present its defence, following which the tribunal will invite Fayemi to also present his defence.

  • INEC yet to recognise Lanlehin as Oyo ADC candidate

    Despite the declaration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that its 2019 governorship candidate in Oyo State is Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, he is yet to be recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The commission released the names of the 24 candidates and the parties vying for governorship in the state on Frida.

    Dr. Dele Ajadi was listed as the ADC candidate, and not Lanlehin.

    The development may be an indication that the logjam in the party is yet to be resolved.

    Ajadi’s name was submitted to INEC last month during the crisis as a temporary measure and to secure the spot with INEC, which had threatened to sanction parties that failed to submit names of candidates before the deadline for primaries.

    ADC’s National Working Committee (NWC),  last week, declared that Lanlehin remained the party’s governorship candidate even though Dr. Nureni Adeniran was elected in a concensus election approved for the party’s 13 aspirants as part of moves to resolve the crisis over who flies the party’s flag in 2019.

    ADC National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, who addressed reporters in Abuja after a meeting of the party’s NWC, insisted that Lanlehin was the party’s candidate.

    He also explained why Adeniran cannot fly the party’s flag, depite the outcome of the consensus election.

    He said: “In line with our earlier statement on the issue of ADC’s governorship candidate in Oyo State, the National Working Committee wishes to announce that Senator Olufemi Lanlehin remains the governorship candidate of ADC in Oyo State.

    “We have had to revisit the issue to ensure that we accommodate all concerns from various quarters. We have had meetings with all the stakeholders of our dear party, including aspirants at all levels of elective positions.

    “This was meant to ensure that the choice of Senator Lanlehin satisfied the aspirations of all party leaders, members and stakeholders of our great party, including a broad spectrum of the good people of Oyo State. Following the deliberations and consultations, the party’s decision on Senator Lanlehin has been ascertained to be the best for ADC and especially the good people of Oyo State. All the polls taken so far have pointed to the fact that Lanlehin is the Oyo State Governor in waiting.”

    Also, the NWC said it had taken a definite decision to settle the lingering crisis over who flies the party’s flag in the 2019 governorship election in the state.

    Lanlehin’s initial choice had threatened to tear the party apart with court cases, in-fighting and looming defections.

    The aspirants had accused the state’s party leaders, including former Governor Rashidi Ladoja and Chief Michael Koleoso, of injustice and imposition.

  • INEC displays Tonye Cole, Uzodinma as Rivers, Imo APC governorship candidates

    •APC candidates’ names missing as commission displays list in Zamfara

    •Adelabu, Akala, Makinde make list in Oyo

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday started displaying the lists of cleared candidates of different political parties for next year’s elections. The candidates’ lists are being displayed at state offices of INEC. So far, the lists of candidates from the positions of governor to state houses of assembly are on display. The states that their lists are out include: Lagos, Zamfara, Kwara, Imo, Rivers, Oyo and Abia states.   In Rivers State INEC Office, the names and photographs of governorship candidates, their deputies and political parties are on display.

    While Governor Nyesom Wike and his current deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo-Happy, maintained the list for the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP),  Engr. Tonye Cole and Sir Victor Giadon made the list for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The Supreme Court in Abuja penultimate week nullified the ward, local government and state congresses that brought about the leadership of Amachree as APC state chairman.

    Cole’s details with those of  his running mate, Victor Giadom, were pasted at the Rivers INEC office in Port Harcourt, among candidates representing other political parties.

    The commission equally pasted other nominees of  Amaechi’s APC faction for other elective offices in the coming elections when visited the commission’s Port Harcourt office.

    Sen. Abe could not be reached for reactions at the time of filing the report yesterday evening, but it was learnt that his spokesman and media aide in the state, Parry Benson, said: “There is nothing really for us to say. It is a matter for the APC national body.”

    In Kwara State, the governorship candidates of PDP, APC and 30 other candidates from other political parties made the INEC  list for the governorship poll.

    The APC has Abdulrahman Abdulrasak,  PDP submitted Razak Atunwa, while Labour Party has Comrade Issa Aremu. The three female governorship candidates are Muibi Muibat Aduke of the APA, Deaconess Comfort Yinka of the UPP and Rukayat Toyin Tijani of the MPN.

    INEC Director, Voter Education, Jacob Ayanda, said that the political parties have the opportunity to change or replace names on or before December 1, this year.

    In Imo State,  there was an initial drama when the  first INEC list came out with the name of the governorship candidate of the APC conspicuously missing. However, a few hours later, the name of Senator Hope Uzodinma was displayed as the candidate of the APC. The display of Uzodinma’s name was said to have been based on the directive from  the  National head

     

  • 56 political parties ready for 2019 general elections – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 56 political parties out of the 91 registered parties in the country are set to participate in the 2019 general elections.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in charge of Rivers, Mr Obo Effanga, said this during a media briefing on Friday in Port Harcourt.

    He said that INEC was interested in all the 91 registered political parties, adding that the commission would only deal with political parties that registered for the election in 2019.

    The REC assured Rivers people that the commission was ready to ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2019, stressing that “we assure you that on the day of the elections, every material needed for the elections would be ready to ensure free, fair and credible process.”

    Effanga noted that the Card Readers would be used for the 2019 general elections.

    He pointed out that any voter who was not accredited by the Card Reader would not cast his or her vote.

    He explained that provisions would be made if the Card Reader developed any hitch in the process.

    Read Also:INEC begins display of voters’ register in Borno

     

    He, therefore, called on community leaders to advise their youths against disrupting the elections, emphasising that any community that could not advise its youths to be of good conduct, INEC would not conduct elections there.

    The REC urged stakeholders to play their part properly, saying that security agencies, the political class, among others, should ensure that the 2019 general elections were successful.

    He stressed that any politician who would have objections of any kind concerning the 2019 general elections should go to court to seek redress.

    He called on the electorate to pick up their Permanent Voter Cards at their areas of registration to enable them to exercise their franchise on the day of the election.

  • U.S. sure of credible elections in 2019

    THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is capable of conducting a free, fair and credible election in 2019, United States Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Ambassador Tibor Nagy has said.

    Nagy, who is on a visit to the country, noted that the task before the commission was very difficult, but he was positive that the Prof. Mahmood Yakubu-led INEC would do a job in the 2019 general polls.

    The visiting Assistant Secretary for African Affairs said: “Nigeria has been an example of a model of the kind of democratic processes, which would be wonderful to have throughout the African continent.

    “Not only is Nigeria the largest African country and economy in Africa, but the last election in 2015 was an absolute positive example on how an election should be conducted and so much of the credit goes to the commission for their phenomenal positive and very objective work in managing those elections.

    “So, we have every confidence that the commission would be up to the task, which we all know is a very difficult task, given the enormity of the process. So, we are very encouraged by what we heard today.”

    Responding to questions from reporters regarding U.S. interest in the 2019 election, Nagy emphasised that the U.S. does not have any candidate in the 2019 election.

    “We don’t care who wins but the process,” he said.

    He said while Nigerians have absolute right to choose their leaders, the process through which such leaders emerged must be transparent, free and fair to all.

    The envoy, therefore, urged politicians and security agencies to shun activities capable of discrediting the outcome of the 2019 election.

    “Regarding the plans for the February elections, we will remain very interested and we were very honoured to be able to host the chairman in the U.S. recently to be able to observe the preparations for our own elections.

    “We understand all of the complexities and we want to specially urge all the parties concerned to please urge all of their followers to be non-violent and also to urge all of the organs of state security, especially to remain neutral in this process because the neutrality of the state is absolutely essential,” he stated.

    U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Stuart Symington posited: “Election is not all about election day, but all the processes leading to the election.”

    Symington, therefore, urged Nigerian voters to avail themselves the opportunity provided by the recent display of the voters’ register to screen the lists.

    On his part, INEC Chairman assured that the commission would not disappoint the international community as it has put in place machinery to protect the integrity of the process.

    Yakubu said: “We want to make 2019 a further affirmation of the maturity of the Nigerian democracy and we are committed to these processes.”

    He pledged the resolve of his team to focus on the processes and not parties or actors.

    He added: “We will do our best to ensure that we maintain the credibility of the process and I want to assure you that we will not let the international community down.”

     

  • INEC releases names of nominated candidates for by-elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released names of political parties and their nominated candidates for by-elections in Kastina, Bauchi, Kwara and Cross River, scheduled for Nov. 17.

    The list was released in a statement signed by INEC National Commissioner, and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye on Thursday in Abuja.

    The by-elections are for Kankia/Kusada/lngawa Federal Constituency of Katsina State, Toro Federal Constituency of Bauchi State, Ekiti/lrepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency of Kwara, and lkom ll State Constituency of Cross River State.
    According to INEC, four political parties submitted nominations for the Kankia/Kusada/lngawa Federal Constituency of Katsina State by-election, as at Nov. 6, which was the last day for the submission of Forms CF001 and CF002.
    The parties and their nominated candidates are Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Nasiru Kankia; Yes Electorate Solidarity (YES), Abdullahi Umar; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) , Abdussamad Abdullahi; and the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abubakar Kusada.

    Read Also: INEC begins display of voters’ register in Borno

     

    The Commission also disclosed that two political parties submitted nominations for Toro Federal Constituency of Bauchi State by-election.

    These are PDP with Shehu Umar as its candidates, as well as the APC with Yusuf Nuhu as its candidate.

    For Ekiti/lrepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency of Kwara, the Commission said five political parties nominated candidates including the Labour Party, Femi Ana-Ara; and the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Olaniyan Ayorinde.

    Others are PDP, Jimoh Damilare; Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) Ajayi Bidemi; and the APC, Olawuyi Tunji.

    Okoye also disclosed that only the PDP nominated candidate, Egbong Nkoro, for the by-election in the lkom ll State Constituency of Cross River State.
    “The by-elections will hold as scheduled on Nov. 17. To this end, all arrangements have been made for the successful conduct of the elections.
    “The Commission implores all participating political parties and their candidates to cooperate with it to ensure peaceful and successful elections,” he said.

  • INEC to create more voting points in Lagos, says REC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, said it would create more voting points in Lagos State to ease accreditation and voting processes across the 8,462 polling units in the state during 2019 general elections.

    Mr Sam Olumekun, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC spoke at a Stakeholders Meeting organised by the commission in collaboration with the private sector and the Nigeria Policing Programme (NPP) in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there exist 3, 662 voting points created across polling units to reduce accreditation and voting time during elections.

    “After the just-concluded Continuous Voter Registration exercise, we have recorded close to 700,000 new registrants in Lagos, and the implication of that is we are going to create additional voting points.

    “This has become imperative so that we can have a pleasant experience when people go out to vote on the election days.

    “We will ensure that your votes count in 2019. We are determined to conduct the best ever elections in 2019,” Olumekun said.

    According to the INEC boss, the creation of additional voting points is necessary to ease the process and reduce voting time.

    The REC said that the electoral body had improved in deployment of materials and personnel, and transmission of election results.

    Olumekun, who emphasised the need for security of voters, election materials and personnel, urged the stakeholders to continue the advocacy on peaceful conduct and voter education.

    According to him, the successful conduct of past elections in the state can largely be attributed to the contributions of the stakeholders, who have been supportive in the state.

    “I can testify that the stakeholders have done marvelously well in the area of sensitisation and mobilisation of the citizens for all our activities, especially the just-suspended Continuous Voters’ Registration Exercise.

    “There is no gainsaying the fact that the stakeholders here present have a stake in our democracy, of which the conduct of free, fair, credible and peaceful elections is an integral part.

  • INEC begins display of voters’ register in Borno

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Wednesday that it had commenced display of voters’ register in the 27 Local Government Areas of Borno.

    The state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim, told the News Agency of Nigerian Maiduguri that the commission had also embarked on the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    Ibrahim disclosed that the exercise was conducted simultaneously at the councils, wards and Polling Units (PUs) in the area.

    He said the exercise was also conducted at Internally Displaced Camps (IDPs) for the registered voters in Abadam, Guzamala and Marte Local Government Councils, due to security challenges.

    Ibrahim noted that the voters’ register display exercise was designed for claims, objections and weed out under-age voters, to enable the commission make possible corrections.

    Read Also: ASUU Strike paralyses Academic activities in UNIBEN

    According to him, the commission has so far registered more than 2.3 million eligible voters in the state.

    Ibrahim explained that more than 1.8 million voters registered during the 2015 elections, while more than 500,000 voters were captured in the
    continuous voter registration from April 2017 to date.

    He stated that the commission has distributed more than 90,000 of the 179,000 PVCs supplied to the state in May 2018.

    “Over 100,000 PVCs are yet to be collected; we are also expecting delivery of additional 100,000 cards for onward distribution to the electorate in the state,” he said.

  • Presidential election kicks off in Madagascar

    Madagascar kicked off its first round of the presidential election on Wednesday to select their future leader for the next five years.

    According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Madagascar, over 9.9 million registered voters are expected to cast their ballots at 24,582 polling stations across the country from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time.

    A total of 36 candidates will participate in the election, including two former presidents Marc Ravalomanana and Hery Rajaonarimampianina, as well as the former transitional president Andry Rajoelina.

    Read Also: UN angry over kidnap of students in Cameroon

    They are also considered to be the top three candidates in the election.

    The diplomatic missions and international organisations such as EU have been accredited to observe the presidential poll in the country.

    According to the INEC, the counting of the votes will begin after the close of voting, and the result of the first round will be proclaimed before Nov. 19.

    If no candidate wins more than 50 per cent of the votes, the second round of voting will be held on December 19.

  • INEC resident commissioner decries menace of vote buying

    The Kano state Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Riskuwa Arabu Shehu on Tuesday in Kano decried the menace of vote buying in the country’s political setting, calling on all stakeholders to join hand with INEC to fight the ugly trend.

    Professor Shehu who briefed newsmen shortly after stakeholders meeting with political party leaders at Mambayya House ahead of 2019 general election, said INEC has devised new strategy to ensure free and fair elections in 2019.

    According to him, “The menace of vote buying I s anew phenomenon that cropped up after it is clear that it is no longer easy to rig elections in Nigeria. INEC will do its possible best to ensure that nobody buys vote in the 2019 general elections.

    “It is very disheartening that somebody would sell his civic right to vote for good leaders, just for a peanut of N5000 or N10, 000. I urge the security agencies, media and politicians to help INEC fight this menace of vote buying. The general public should understand the implication of vote buying.”

    The INEC boss also lamented the issue of selling of Permanent Voters Card (PVC), particularly in Kano, stating that, “we heard the rumour of selling of PVCs in Kano. We have reported it to security agencies and we are not taking it lightly.”

    According to him,  over 688, 972 registered voters are yet to collect their Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC), out of 5, 459, 914 eligible voters who are supposed to participate in the 2019 elections in Kano state.

    He said the uncollected PVC as at 31st October, 2018, include the number of those registered in 2011, 2015 and 2017/2018 respectively.

    Prof. Shehu added that, “for those who registered from April, 2017 to date, we have 75, 798 registered voters who have already collected their PVC.

    “However, for those who registered from the second quarter of 2018 to 31st August, 2018, their PVC will soon be ready for collection, as we are still waiting  them to arrive from the headquarters.

    “Before 2015 elections, we had 4, 994, 913 registered voters who participated in the last general elections. Presently, we have 5, 459, 914 registered and eligible voters who are supposed to participate in the 2019 general elections.

    “But I must say that this figure is tentative because we are still cleaning the register to ascertain the number of people who are no longer here as a result of death, relocation or what have you. At the end of the day, the number may reduce.”

    He added that, “already, we have prepared the list of all the eligible voters whose PVCs are ready and they are yet to collect them.

    “We have decided to decentralize the distribution—we are now doing it Ward by Ward. We have already mobilized enough staff to be stationed across the 484 Wards in the state.

    “We are also engaging traditional rulers, opinion leaders, religious leaders, as well as the media for proper sensitization of the people on the need for them to collect their PVCs to enable them perform their civic responsibilities in the forthcoming general elections.”

    He further stated that about 74 candidates from 32 political parties are contesting for the three senatorial seats in Kano, while 401 candidates from 38 political parties are vying for 24 seats of the House of Representatives in the state.