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Tag: Inec

  • INEC releases notice of 2019 elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday released the notice of activities for the 2019 general elections.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the notice was pasted at the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) office of INEC  in Abuja.

    Mrs Ndidi Okafor, Head of  Voter Education and Publicity Gender and Civil Society Liaison of INEC , FCT told NAN that the notice was in accordance with section 30 of the Electoral Act 2010.

    According to the notice,  collection of nomination forms for national and state elections by political parties is fixed between Aug 17 and Aug. 24.

    Collection  of forms for  FCT elections will take place between  3 Sept. and 10  Sept.

    “The last date for submission of nomination forms by political parties has also been scheduled for Dec. 3 for presidential and National Assembly Elections  and state elections Dec. 17.

    “The collection of nomination forms for FCT Area Council elections would commence on Nov. 3 to Nov. 10, while the last date for the return of the nomination forms is Dec. 14.

    “On Oct 25 INEC will publish the personal particulars of National election candidates on Oct. 25 and those of the state candidates on Nov. 9.”

    Okafor said INEC has announced Nov. 17 as the last date for the withdrawal or replacement of candidates for president and National Assembly elections, and Dec. 1 for governorship and state houses  of assembly elections.

    INEC would on Jan. 2, 2019 publish notice of the polls, and on Jan. 7, 2019 publish official register of voters for the election, which will begin with the presidential and National Assembly  elections on 16 February .(NAN)

  • 2019 elections won’t be shifted – INEC

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, insisted on Friday that the 2019 general elections won’t be shifted.

    The Commission is presently starved of funds as virement for its preparation for the elections are still in the National Assembly.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Yakubu said: “I have said this over and over again, there are no conditions under which elections should be postponed, under section 26 of the Electoral Act, the date is formed and fixed is February 16, 2019.

    “We issued the timetable way in advance for the very first time in the history of our nation, citizens of Nigeria know when elections will take place one year in advance. It has never happen before.

    “Secondly, also for the very first time in the history of our country, that citizens know the budget of the electoral commission, that budget has never been defended before the National Assembly, as citizens know line by line how much the Commission proposed, what the money is going to be spent on, I think I am very happy with this process.

    “On the virement, well, we have made the clarification that the National Assembly asked for and I am happy that the National Assembly and the two committees on INEC expressed satisfaction on the clarification that we made for the matter of appropriation. So we look forward to hearing what the National Assembly will say.”

    According to him, the Commission requested for N189.2 billion, which he claimed is what the executive proposed to the National Assembly.

    “So there are no discrepancies in the figures at all,” Yakubu added.

     

     

  • 114,448 PVCs yet to be collected in Kebbi

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that 114,448 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) produced are yet to be collected by their owners in the state.

    Ahmad Mahmud, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, disclosed this on Friday while briefing newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.

    According to him, 37,000 uncollected PVCs were from the 2014 voter registration exercise.

    “In the April 2017 continuous voter registration exercise, we were able to register 271,224 comprising: 155,879 males and 115,345 females.”

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    Mahmud said the state received 117,863 newly printed PVCs from INEC national headquarters, adding that only 40,415 had been collected leaving about 77,448 uncollected.

    He described the failure of residents to pick their PVCs as worrisome, adding that Kebbi was among the states with the highest number of unclaimed PVCs.

    The REC advised eligible voters in the state, who were yet to register, to avail themselves of the opportunity to be registered at INEC designated registration centres in the 21 local government areas.

    “This is an opportunity for them sequel to the recent extension of the ongoing CVR exercise from August 17 to August 31 by the INEC,” he said.

    The REC also promised to embark on an aggressive advocacy to overcome the challenge.

    Mahmud said that his main objective was to conduct free, fair and acceptable elections in the state that would be acceptable to Nigerians and the international community.

  • Vote buying: INEC to re-administer polling units

    •New parties get certificates

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will re-administer its polling units to prevent vote buying, INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said yesterday.

    He spoke during the presentation of Certificates of Registration to the 23 newly registered political parties at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

    Yakubu said the new polling unit structure would make it difficult for voters to display their ballot papers after marking them.

    “The commission is deeply worried about our elections, particularly the way they are becoming increasingly monetised.

    “Vote buying is a cancer to our elections and we must work together collectively to stamp it out.

    “Accordingly, and on the part of the commission starting with Osun State Governorship Election coming up on Sept. 22, we will change the way our polling units are administered.

    “It will be done in such a way that there will be no room for voters to expose their marked ballot papers between voting cubicles and the ballot boxes.

    “We shall further re-strategise with the security agencies for a more robust response to the arrest and prosecution of vote buyers.

    “We will also engage with all well-meaning groups for more effective voter education and voter sensitisation.’’

    Yakubu said the commission had concluded arrangements to publish the notice for the 2019 general elections to kick-off activities.

    “The formal commencement of 2019 general elections begins tomorrow, Friday Aug. 17, 2018, with the publication of Notice of Elections.

    “Already, the commission has concluded arrangements for doing so in all our offices nationwide as required by law.

    “This will be followed by the conduct of primaries beginning from Saturday, Aug. 18 to Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.’’

    Congratulating the 23 newly-registered parties, the INEC chairman said they could participate in the 2019 general elections, but not in the Osun governorship poll as the nomination process had closed.

    “From today, you have equal status with any political party in Nigeria. This means that you can sponsor candidates for elections, including the 2019 general elections.

    Yakubu said that the new parties had an obligation to respect their constitutions, members, abide by INEC guidelines and regulations, obey the Electoral Act and submit themselves to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “2019 General Election is only 183 days way from today.

    “You should try and make a difference to politics and elective representation by conducting open, transparent, inclusive and peaceful primaries for the nomination of credible candidates for the elections.

    “By doing so, you will give Nigerians greater choice, thereby adding value to our democracy and strengthening the quality of elective representatives,’’ Yakubu said.

    Speaking on behalf of the new parties National Chairman of the African Action Congress Party, (AACP) Omoyele Sowore pledged that the new parties would bring changes to Nigeria’s democracy as well as rescue the country from the state of hopelessness.

    Sowore urged the new parties to form a united forum that would develop the country’s democracy and defeat the old order.

    “Nigerians need us badly; they need our commitment, conscience and most importantly our will to defeat the old order,’’ Sowore said.

    Also yesterday, INEC directed political parties to update their membership registers and furnish the Commission with the updated register.

    It warned against submission of names of people who did not participate in the primary as candidates.

    Speaking at the 2018 annual Nigeria political parties Summit in Abuja, INEC National Commissioner in charge of political party monitoring, Prof. Anthonia Okoosi-Simbine, said parties have till September 15 to inform the commission of the proposed date for their primaries at all levels.

    Prof Okoosi-Simbine added that peaceful election must begin with the conduct of transparent political party primaries, adding that “it has become increasingly obvious that Internal conflicts in political parties revolve around the contest for leadership positions and/or nominations to contest elective positions.”

    He said INEC would monitor political parties primaries

    Former INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega urged parties to build a strong democratic culture. He was chairman of the session.

  • INEC gives hotlines for inquires, complaints in Enugu

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given out hotlines for enquires and complaints on its activities in Enugu State in order to carry all electorates along.

    The 24-hour hotlines are: 08098820020 and 08104066068.

    Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Dr Emeka Ononamadu gave out the numbers yesterday in a People and Power Conference, themed: “Power of Citizens to Choose Responsible Leaders in a Democracy”.

    Ononamadu said the numbers should be used by anybody having difficulties with the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) or collection of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) and any other germane issues concerning the current electoral process.

    He said: “INEC is adequately prepared for the 2019 elections because we started preparing in 2017. INEC is making good progress so far.

    “For INEC activities in Enugu State, we have been working relentlessly every day, even Sundays, to ensure that the process CVR and PVC collection is not interrupted.

    “We have done far-reaching consultations with critical stakeholders to ensure that the people buy through and start taking ownership of the entire electoral process for it to be a great success.

    “The hotline is an innovation created by the INEC office, when I took over, and it has helped bridge the gap between our people and INEC in the state. It helped the commission monitor what its workers in the field do daily.”

    Ononamadu, however, urged the electorate to be alive to their responsibility of voting and protecting their votes to ensure only credible people are voted in.

  • Rivers by-election: INEC receives sensitive materials

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Mr Obo Effanga, said on Thursday that the commission had received the sensitive materials for the conduct of the Port Harcourt Constituency III State Assembly by-election.

    Effanga told newsmen at the INEC’s State Headquarters in Port Harcourt that he received the materials at the Central Bank amid tight security.

    He said that movement would be restricted on Saturday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. within the area for the conduct of the by-election.

    Effanga, while urging voters to exercise their franchise with their Permanent Voter Cards, assured them of adequate security, adding that there would be free, fair and credible electoral process using the Smart Cards.

    He said that the participating political parties had also assured the commission that they would play the game by the rule, to ensure a peaceful electoral process.

    Also speaking, an agent of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Michael Igolima, said he was satisfied with the procedure for handing over the materials to INEC officials.

    “We went to CBN to collect the sensitive materials; I am okay with the process; everything was okay.”

    Igolima urged his party members to come out en masse and vote for candidates of their choice.

    In his remarks, Mr Gospel Nwigbara, an agent of another political party, the Mass Movement of Nigeria (MMN), also commended the way the sensitive materials were received at the CBN.

    He urged his party members to come out in their numbers for the election.

  • Diezani ‘bribe’: INEC chiefs have case to answer, says court

    The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday dismissed a no-case submission filed by a former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Administrative Secretary in Kwara State Mr Christian Nwosu.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned him for allegedly accepting gratification from former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke (“still at large”).

    He was re-arraigned along with Tijani Bashir before Justice Mohammed Idris.

    They were charged with another INEC official Yisa Adedoyin, who pleaded guilty to the offence and was convicted following a plea bargain.

    Nwosu had initially pleaded guilty to receiving N30million bribe from Mrs Alison-Madueke to rig the 2015 general election results, but he changed his plea to not guilty.

    He claimed he was induced by EFCC to plead guilty at first, but he pleaded not guilty when he was re-arraigned.

    EFCC said they allegedly conspired to directly take possession of N264,880.000, which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of an unlawful act – gratification.

    They also allegedly made cash payment of N70,050,000 to Adedoyin, which exceeds the amount authorised by law without going through a financial institution.

    Bashir was accused of indirectly taking possession of and retaining N164,880,000, which he reasonably ought to have known forms part of gratification.

    Bashir was also charged with indirectly retaining N30million, being part of the proceeds of an unlawful act: “criminal misappropriation”.

    The prosecution said he indirectly concealed the N30million.

    The alleged offences were committed on March 27 and April 7, 2015 and violated provisions of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.

    EFCC had earlier closed its case before the amendment of the charge.

    Prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo said he would not call any further witnesses despite amending the charge.

    Rather than open their defence, Nwosu and Bashir made no-case submissions, urging the court to discharge and acquit them.

    According to them, the prosecution did not present an obvious case against them to warrant their defence.

    But the prosecution argued there was a prima facie case against them based on witness testimonies and exhibits tendered.

    Ruling, Justice Idris held that in view of the evidence presented by the EFCC, the defendants have some clarifications to make.

    “The extra judicial statements made to EFCC by these defendants raise a lot of questions which they must be called upon to answer

    “Accordingly, this application lacks merit and it is hereby dismissed.

    “The defendants are hereby ordered open their defence,” Justice Idris held.

    Oyedepo said he was ready for trial to proceed immediately, but defence counsel Mr Victor Opara pleaded for an adjournment to enable him assemble his witnesses.

    Justice Idris adjourned until August 23 and 24 for defence.

  • Alleged bribery: INEC chiefs have case to answer – Court

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday dismissed a no-case submission filed by a former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Administrative Secretary in Kwara State, Mr. Christian Nwosu.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned Nwosu for allegedly accepting gratification from former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    He was re-arraigned along with Tijani Bashir before Justice Mohammed Idris.

    They were arraigned with another INEC official, Yisa Adedoyin, who pleaded guilty to the offence and was convicted following a plea bargain.

    Nwosu had initially pleaded guilty to receiving N30million bribe from Mrs. Alison-Madueke to rig the 2015 general election results, but he changed his plea to not guilty.

    The INEC official claimed he was induced by EFCC to plead guilty at first, but pleaded not guilty when he was re-arraigned.

    EFCC said they allegedly conspired to directly take possession of N264,880.000, which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of an unlawful act – gratification.

    They also allegedly made cash payment of N70,050,000 to Adedoyin, which exceeded the amount authorised by law without going through a financial institution.

  • INEC to announce elections programme on Friday

    •Extends voter registration by two weeks
    •Parties to get go-ahead for electioneering on Friday

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the registration of 23 new parties ahead of the 2019 general election.

    The number of registered parties is now 91. Before the parties announced yesterday, there were 68 political parties.

    INEC has extended the deadline for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by two weeks. The registration, which was scheduled to end on August 17, will now be suspended on August 31.

    INEC will on Friday give parties the go-ahead to kick start electioneering processes.

    The decisions were reached at the weekly INEC management meeting, chaired by the commission’s boss, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

    Announcing the decision reached at the end of the meeting through a statement, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, national commissioner and member, Voter Education & Publicity Committee, said the new parties scaled through the rigorous screening.

    According to him, 144 applications were received from which 23 were certified to have met the criteria for registration as parties.

    The statement reads: “The commission approved the registration of 23 new parties. It received 144 applications from political associations seeking registration as political parties. After a rigorous process of evaluation in accordance with the Constitution and Electoral Act, which included assessment of the constitutions and manifestos of the intending parties and verification of membership of their executive committees and offices, the 23 associations met the requirements and so have been registered as political parties.

    “This brings the number of parties to 91 and will be the last round of registration of parties until after the general election on February 16, 2019. This suspension is in line with Section 78 (1) of the Electoral Act, which requires applications for registration as a political party to be concluded latest six months to a general election.

    “The newly registered parties will receive their Certificates of Registration from the Commission on Thursday, August 16, 2018 at the commission’s headquarters.”

    On the issuance of Notice of Elections, he said: “On the 9th of January 2018, the commission issued the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2019 General Election. The first of 14 activities in that timetable is the issuance of Notice of Election, which is scheduled for Friday, August 17, 2018 in accordance with Section 30 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended). This activity kick-starts the countdown to the 2019 general election.”

    On extension of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), INEC said: “In order to have enough time to clean up the provisional register and print the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) in good time for the general election, the commission, after consultation with stakeholders, decided to suspend the exercise with effect from August 17, to resume after the elections. However, many Nigerians have appealed to the commission to extend the exercise. Consequently, the commission has decided to extend the CVR to August 31. The exercise will continue in all the designated registration centres everyday, including weekends, but excluding public holidays, between 9am and 5pm.”

    Haruna said 12, 139,061 million new voters have been added to the voter register in the new dispensation, which started on April 27.

    He told the public that the ongoing collection of PVCs will not end with the CVR exercise. “Collection of PVCs will continue until close to the general election.”

    The 23 parties and their acronyms are: Advanced Alliance Party, AAP; Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party, ANDP; African Action Congress, AAC; Alliance for a United Nigeria, AUN; Alliance of Social Democrats, ASD; Alliance National Party, ANP; Allied People’s Movement, APM; Alternative Party of Nigeria, APN; Change Nigeria Party, CNP; Congress of Patriots, COP; Liberation Movement, LM; Movement for Restoration and Defence of Democracy, MRDD; Nigeria Community Movement Party, NCMP; Nigeria for Democracy, NFD; Peoples Coalition Party, PCP; Reform and Advancement Party, RAP; Save Nigeria Congress, SNC; United Patriots, UP; United Peoples Congress, UPC; We The People Nigeria, WTPN; YES Electorates Solidarity, YES ;Youth Party ,YP and Zenith Labour Party, ZLP.

     

     

  • INEC trains filed officers in North East

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in collaboration with the National Population Commission (NPC), on Tuesday in Gombe, commenced a 3-day training workshop for its filed officers in the North East.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the INEC staff and other participants were drawn from Gombe, Taraba, Adamawa, Borno, Bauchi State and Yobe.

    In his address of welcome, Alhaji Umar Ibrahim, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Gombe State, said the workshop was necessary as it would provide guide for delimitation of election units in the zone.

    Ibrahim said the training was meant for the additional field officers for the upcoming Registration Area (RA) and Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) Project in the zone.

    The REC said the project would facilitate the identification of where the polling units would be located as well as the delineation of registration area boundaries.

    He emphasised that the essence of the workshop was to expose the trainees to fieldwork and spatial data management.

    “The workshop is expected to acquaint the trainees on the RA/ED project, processes, methodology, tools and personnel and train them on how to carry out a comprehensive registration area boundary description and composition.

    “Also, they would be trained on the registration area boundary sketching. All these are aimed at exposing the trainees to fieldwork and spatial data management,’’ he said.

    Ibrahim said that INEC had been collaborating with NPC to train field officers since 2014, adding that 1,137 RAs in about 103 local government areas had been covered in four years.

    “This workshop is expected to form an integral basis and guide for the delimitation exercise, whenever it comes up. The exercise would also help the commission to handle mapping challenges.

    “The RA/EAD project would facilitate the identification of where polling units would be located and how to delineate Registration Areas boundaries.

    ‘‘The team of cartographers present for the training would help out in that regard,’’ he said.

    Declaring the workshop open, AVM Ahmed Mu’azu (rtd.), National Commissioner INEC in-charge of Adamawa, Taraba and Borno, charged the trainees to take it seriously to make positive impact on the commission.