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Tag: Inec

  • Ogun PDP: Secondus’ list illegal, Kashamu-backed exco tells INEC

    The Adebayo Dayo-led executive committee of the Ogun Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reject candidates’ list submitted by the party’s national secretariat for the 2019 general elections .

    It said the lists approved by PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus and National Secretary, Senator Umar Ibrahim Tsauri, were prepared in contempt of court and thus unlawful.

    It made the claims in a letter written through its lawyer,  Dr Alex Izinyon SAN to INEC yesterday, following two letters by Secondus and Tsauri which challenged the commission’s acceptance of the Dayo-led exco’s candidates’ list for the polls.

    Last week, INEC acknowledged the nomination of Prince Leke Shittu and Dr Rueben Abati as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the 2019 election in Ogun State.

    Abati’s nomination form was received on October 30 by Mr Bashir Abubakar at the INEC headquarters in Abuja. Abubakar endorsed his rank as an ‘SLO’.

    Shittu and Abati, a former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, were on the candidates list submitted to INEC by the Dayo-led executive committee of Ogun PDP.

    The list also includes the name of ex-Ogun governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel who is contesting for the Ogun East senatorial district.

    The Dayo-led exco is backed by the lawmaker representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Senator Buruji Kashamu.

    It described the national secretariat’s argument as “…obvious fallacies. misconstrued factual situation, palpable falsehood and denial of established legal principles having regards to the indisputable documents on the subject matter.”

    According to Izinyon,  the argument that the “National Organs of the party have the exclusive right to conduct congress for the nomlnatlon/sponsorshlp of candidates for election in all public electoral offices from councilor to Presidency,” is untrue.

    Ironton said: “Indeed this attempt is to put a wool on the face of your Commission and commltting a legal hara klri having regards to the correct factual and legal position on ground.

    “The first misconception contained in both letters revolve round the hullaballoo that your office “inslsted” on violation of the Constitutlon of the Peoples Democratic, the Electoral Guidelines and the Electoral Act and in disobedience of the Supreme Court Judgments on exclusive right of polttical parties.”

    The Silk said similar judicial decisions on the matter showed that the PDP leadership must conduct the affairs Ogun State Chapter via the new officers which includes primaries.

    “Rather than do this, the PDP National body set up its own officers contrary to the subsisting Orders.” he said.

    The lawyer stated that the Federal High Court had restrained the party National Secretariat from “conducting the affairs of the PDP in Ogun State except through new officers” that emerged from congresses conducted” by the Dayo-led exco.”

    Izinyon said there had not been any appeal of the judgment.

    He continued: “It was therefore cleat that for the PDP’s national leadership to have the effrontery  to prepare their list…smirks of lawlessness,  illegality.”

  • INEC to display National registered voters in 2,398 polling units in Kebbi

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kebbi will commence the display of National Register of Voters in 2,398 polling units in the state, ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Alhaji Ahmed Mahmud, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, made this known while addressing newsmen in Birnin Kebbi Today.

    According to him, INEC has approved the display of the National Register of Voters across all the 2,398 polling units in Kebbi from Nov. 6 to Nov. 12, for hearing of claims and objections, within the same period in preparation for the 2019 general election. 

    He however added that the commission will deploy personal to all the 225 registration Areas for the success  of the exercise.

    Mahmud explained that the objective of the exercise was to remove the deceased registered voters, non-Nigerians, registrants with still pictures, under aged voters as well as multiple registrants.

    “The commission has also received a total of 178,928 PVCs from INEC National Headquarters, Abuja as at Oct. 30.

    “The collection of PVCs by the registrants is ongoing at the INEC offices across the state,’’ he added

    In a related development, the Kebbi State Resident Electoral Commissioner  of INEC  Ahmed Bello Mahmud have disclosed to newsmen that they have received  a total number  of 79 nominated candidates for presidency, 46 for Senate and 74 candidate for house of Representatives  who filled form CO 00 which have been pasted at both INEC headquarters and INEC Area offices respectively for public  Scrutiny.

  • INEC displays National Register of Voters in C/River

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Cross River has commenced the display of National Register of Voters across all political wards in the state, ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Dr Frankland Briyai, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state made the disclosure while addressing journalists on Monday in Calabar.

    He said the exercise was in accordance with Section 19 and 20 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), adding that it would hold from Nov. 6 to Nov 12.

    The REC explained that the exercise, which commenced in April 2017, was suspended in August to make way for the revision, update, certification and publication of the final Voter’s Register for the general elections.

    He said that the significance of the excise was to address the removal of deceased registered voters, non Nigerians, under aged voters and multiple registrations among others.

    According to him, the commission has also approved the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) at the Registration Areas during the display of Register of Voters.

    “Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the commission has announced the display of the National Register of Voters, starting from Nov. 6 to Nov. 12, 2018.

    “The state offices have printed and updated Register of Voters and sent to the Electoral Officers at the local government area offices.

    “The 7-day exercise which will hold at the Registration Areas will also feature the hearing of Claims and Objections.

    “Those that are yet to collect their PVCs are advised to go their Registration Areas and collect their PVCs.

    “There will be two officers in each Registration Area, the Revision Officer and Assistant Revision Officer.

    “Also, there will be three Supervisory Revision Officers per local government to supervise the cluster of Registration Areas,’’ he said.

    He advised residents in to take the exercise serious, in order to assist the commission in the clean-up of the Voter Register.

    On the forthcoming State House of Assembly by-election for Ikom II State Constituency, scheduled for Nov. 17, the REC said the commission was ready for the election.

    He urged all members of the political parties contesting in the election to adhere strictly to the rules of the election and avoid violence before, during and after the exercise.

    “The commission assures the people of Cross Rivers that it will continue to provide a level playing ground for all political parties to operate.

    “This is necessary to enhance the growth of democracy, particularly during the forthcoming elections. “

  • Parties in last-minute rush to submit candidates’ names

    It was a flurry of activities yesterday at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Collection Centre as Political parties engaged in last-minute rush to submit list of candidates for the states elections.

    INEC had fixed November 2 as the last day for submission for the March 2, 2019 polls, in accordance with the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

    The submission started on Monday with low attendance.

    However, as the closing hour drew near, major political parties besieged the International Conference Centre (ICC), INEC collection Centre to submit the list of candidates for governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

    At the time of filing this report, 38 political parties had submitted their forms.

    They include the PDP, All Progressive Congress (APC), African Democratic Party (ADC), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party (LP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP), among others.

    United Progressives Party (UPP), Green Party, Accord Party, Nigeria Community Movement Party (NCMP) were also among political parties waiting to submit their forms.

    Our correspondent, who was at the submission centre, gathered that most political parties were at different stages of submission of their nominations forms.

  • Voters card collection low in Rivers – INEC

    Mr Edwin Enabor, the Head, Voter Education, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Rivers has criticized the low rate of voter cards collection in the state.

    Enabor told newsmen in Port Harcourt on Friday that a large number of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) meant for the electorate in Rivers were still unclaimed.

    “The rate at which registrants from the state are collecting their cards is very low; we have a large number of cards lying unclaimed.

    “This is worrisome because these cards are meant to qualify people to participate in the forthcoming elections,’’ he said.

     

    Read Also: Rivers company protests unpaid salary

     

    He said that only about 118,000 cards had so far been claimed since the collection exercise began in September.

    The INEC official urged members of the public who participated in the just concluded registration exercise in the state to collect the PVCs at INEC designated offices.

    He further said that the commission was expecting to take delivery of voter cards for the final batch of registrants within a period of two weeks.

    “We shall continue to create the needed awareness, our expectation is that members of the public will utilize the opportunity to obtain their cards,’’ he said.

  • Durotoye is ANN presidential candidate

    The  Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognised Mr. Fela Durotoye as the presidential candidate of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN).

    He will contest for the presidency along with other 78 other candidates during the poll scheduled for February, next year. of other political parties registered for the 2019 General Elec

    According to the statement from the party, the controversy over the choice of flag bearer has ended.

    It dsaid: “This announcement officially ends all doubts about the position of Mr. Fela Durotoye as our Presidential candidate against the numerous propagandas and allegations invented by the enemies of this great party.

    “After our successful presidential primary that held on September 29,  Mr. Fela Durotoye had emerged the party’s candidate with 240 votes.”

    According to the party,erring members of the National Working Committee (NWC) have been suspended.

    It urged Dr. Jay  Samuels, the former Interim Chairman, to stop parading himself as the chairman of the party.

    It added: “Alliance for New Nigeria remains resolute in being the difference amongst all political parties and will continue to uphold her values of Transparency, Integrity, and Excellence in order to birth a New Nigeria that provides opportunities for all Nigeria.”       

     

  • Delta APC primaries: Court issues contempt notice on Oshiomhole, INEC Chairman

    THE Federal High Court sitting at Asaba has issued a contempt notice on All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole for disobeying its order not to submit a list of Delta APC candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) until the resolution of the case.
    The court noted that despite its October 17 order, Oshiomole submitted names of purported National Assembly candidates from Delta APC to INEC and that INEC also went ahead to receive and publish such names even when the order directed both parties in the case not to do so but to maintain “status quo.”
     The Chief Cyril Ogodo-led executive of the APC in Delta State sued the APC, Oshiomhole, INEC and one other in a suit, with Suit No: FA/ASB/CS/76/2018, over the authentic list of  candidates from the parallel primaries conducted in the state through the two contending State Executives in the state.
    The primary of the Chief Cyril Ogodo-led exco produced Prof Pat Utomi and Olorogun O’tega Emerhor as governorship and central senatorial candidates respectively while that of the Prophet Jones Erue-led Exco produced Chief Great Ogboru and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege as governorship and central senatorial candidates .
    The fourth defendant in the suit is Prophet Jones Erue and his parallel Executives.
    The court on November 1, issued against Comrade Oshiomhole and the INEC Chairman Form 48, notice of Consequence of Disobedience to court order, and warned that: “Take notice that unless you obey the direction contained in the order, you will be guilty of contempt and you will be liable to prison.”
    The defendants failed to file their responses claiming they were not given the statutory time and that the Judge should first rule on their motion on notice challenging the Jurisdiction of the court. Maintaining her previous order on all parties to maintain the status quo, the judge affirmed she will not rule separately on Jurisdiction but shall take all motions together with the main issues.
    She subsequently adjourned the matter to November 13th to give extended time to the defendants to file their responses. She also pre-warned that she would proceed either way with the case on the adjourned date if the defendants still failed to file their responses.

  • INEC to begin display of voters’ register Nov 6 in Edo

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will begin display of voters’ register at various polling units across the state from Nov. 6 to 12.

    Mr Emmanuel Alex-Hart, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Edo made this known during a meeting with representatives of various political parties in Benin on Thursday.

    He said the display would afford the general public the opportunity to make claims for inclusion of names and objection to lists of deceased, underage, multiple and those of foreign nationals.

    He said the exercise would also give credibility to the voters’ register and guarantee the credibility of electoral outcomes.

    Read also: PDP governorship candidate cautions INEC over party list

     

    He added that the exercise would be carried out by the staff of the commission and members of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC).

    “I urge you to partner with the commission and cooperate with our field officers for the success of the exercise.

    “I also want you to help create the needed awareness to all and sundry on the need for all to validate the register ahead of the 2019 general elections,’’ he said

    Alex-Hart revealed that about 473,476 unclaimed Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) currently with the commission would be taken to the various polling units for collection.

    “The commission has made the collection process much easier. So mobilise your people to go and validate the register and also use the opportunity to collect their PVCs,’’ he said.

    Mrs Grace Eseka, the State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA) in her remarks said the agency had concluded plans to embark on a door-to -door campaign on the importance of collecting the PVCs.

  • 2019: UN delegation assures INEC of support

    •Chambas to meet with candidates in coming weeks

    SPECIAL Representative of the United Nation Secretary General Mohammed Ibn Chambas has assured the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the global body’s support ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Chambas said global players are looking forward towards peaceful elections in Nigeria.

    Consequently, he said the delegation would be meeting with candidates in the coming weeks.

    He spoke in Abuja yesterday during a meeting with INEC leadership, led by the Acting Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Lecky, a National Commissioner.

    “We are looking forward towards a peaceful election in Nigeria. All the members state are looking towards Nigeria,” he said.

    He urged INEC to support youth and gender participation in the elections.

    Chambas, who had earlier met with top government functionaries, including Chief of Staff to the President Abba Kyari and Secretary to the Government of the Federation Mustapha Boss, said: “We intend to meet other candidates in the next coming weeks.”

    He also noted that the delegation had raised some issues with the top government functionaries concerning funding and security.

    He said: “We have also taken up the issue of security yesterday (Monday). We were received by the hierarchy of the Nigerian Armed Forces and also the hierarchy of the Police. We discussed with them the preparations to secure the electoral process and to give INEC assurance they will be able to perform in a secured environment and to be able to conduct election across the length and breadth of Nigeria.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • 2019: INEC expresses fear over foreign interference in polls

    INDEPENDENT National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has expressed fear over foreign interference in the country’s domestic elections.

    This is as he announced that political parties will be allowed to begin campaign from November 19.

    Nigerians are expected to go to polls on February 16, 2019 for the presidential and National Assembly seats. The states’ elections come up on March 2, 2019.

    The INEC boss, who spoke at the opening of a two-day media workshop on reporting of elections in ECOWAS region, noted the concern of the commission on the issue of foreign interference with domestic elections through the internet.

    “Another challenge worthy of consideration is the issue of foreign interference with domestic elections through the internet. This serious concern not only in developing democracies such as ours but also in other and more developed ones, such as the United States (U.S.) and Western Europe,” he said.

    Yakubu, therefore, hoped that the retreat would critically interrogate and proffer workable solutions.

    Section 99(1) of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended, stipulates that “the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 90 days before polling day and ends 24 hours prior to that day”.

    Section 102 of the Electoral Act also warned against campaigning based on religious, tribal or sectional reasons.

    Speaking on the issue yesterday, Yakubu said: “Campaigns by political parties for the 2019 general elections in Nigeria officially will kick start in less than 21 days from today.”

    On the importance of the retreat, Yakubu said the media represents a critical stakeholder in the efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in the electoral process.

    “The media remains the most reliable instrument through which all electoral issues involving participation and inclusivity are encouraged. There is no doubt, therefore, that the media is an important stakeholder and partner,” he added.

    For the media to be effective, he said there must be trust, openness, access, cooperation and understanding between the administrators and journalists.

    Yakubu, therefore, noted that the workshop was designed and would focus on capacity-building, professionalism and elections management and report writing, with emphasis on ethics and best practices.

    Also yesterday, Chairman, INEC Planning, Monitoring and Strategic Committee Dr. Mohammad Lecky, in Kano declared that the commission is poised to conduct credible, transparent and rancor-free 2019 general elections, which will be far better and more effective than the previous elections in the country.

    Lecky spoke at the opening of a three-day capacity building for 95 state training officers (STO) drew from 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, on implementers of election master trainers.