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Tag: Inec

  • Why vote-buying is prevalent, by INEC

    THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is worried over rising cases of vote buying during elections by political parties.

    It accused politicians, who could not subvert its administrative processes, of resulting to vote buying and selling.

    INEC National Commissioner and Head of Legal Services Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu said this at the public presentation of Election Monitor’s (EM) observation report on Ekiti governorship election in Abuja yesterday.

    Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu said INEC would work with relevant stakeholders to curb the practice.

    She: “The commission is deeply concerned about the rising phenomenon of vote buying during elections and is determined to continue to work with all stakeholders, law enforcement agencies and the judiciary among others to find solutions to this menace.

    “Our own administrative processes can no longer be subverted. Vote buying, therefore, is the only way to subvert the integrity of an election.

    “Indeed as part of this process and in conjunction with the European Union (EU) Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), INEC legal officers across the country, together with selected police officers will be trained over the next three months on the prosecution of electoral offences.

    “We will also intensify voter education as this damaging trend has got to be stopped in its tracks.”

    She said it was the responsibility of INEC to prosecute electoral offenders, including those involved in buying and selling votes as well as announcement of false results as stipulated in its Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

    She, however, added that the commission lacked the powers to investigate and arrest offenders.

    “There are several provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended, criminalising bribery and corruption relating to voting during elections, including Sections 124, 126, 129 and 130.

  • INEC and Ekiti gubernatorial election

    Though the election in Ekiti State has come and gone, it leaves behind it, sour traces of odious conducts on the part of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that will forever remain indelible in the battered sub-consciousness of Ekiti people and indeed Nigerians as a whole. It remains an ineradicable stain on the banner of acceptable electoral conduct.

    Section 158 of the 1999 Constitution provides that INEC shall not be subject to the control of any other authority in the exercise of its powers or functions. By the third schedule to the same constitution, it is provided that the commission shall have power to organise, undertake and supervise all elections to the offices of the president and vice-president, the governor and deputy governor of a state, and to the membership of the Senate, the House of Representatives and the House of Assembly of each state of the federation. What occurred in Ekiti represented the exact opposite of these beautiful constitutional provisions.

    The Ekiti State gubernatorial election was conducted by INEC on Saturday, July 14. The contest was basically between the incumbent government of PDP and APC. Generally, it was believed, given the heated campaign and variegated interests at stake, that the said election will serve as litmus test for INEC’s and indeed the federal government headed by President Muhammadu Buhari’s preparedness for future free and fair elections, especially the 2019 general elections. INEC trumpeted it to high heavens, that the Ekiti gubernatorial election would signpost its template for the 2019 elections. Nigerians were elated, waited with bated animation, to see miracles happen.

    However, the federal government and INEC failed woefully to secure the trust of the Ekiti people and that of Nigerians at large in their conduct, with respect to the said election. One would say that the dashed expectations might not have come as a surprise to many Nigerians. One will recall clearly, that virtually all campaign promises by President Buhari’s government, just like the expectations in the Ekiti election, have so far been dashed, to the chagrin and disappointment of Nigerians. Three years into Buhari’s administration, Nigeria is facing the worst security challenges in her chequered history. Buhari had promised Nigerians heaven on earth, in the course of his campaigns. But today, Nigerians are witnessing hell on earth, after three years of his administration. Nigeria has been turned into a gory and grisly theatre of blood and blood-letting. No day passes without news of horrific massacre across Nigeria by herdsmen. None of them has ever been apprehended and prosecuted. Life has become so cheap. Humanity has been bastardised and debased. Murders and butchery of innocent souls do not shock Nigerians any longer.

    In the course of the three years of PMB’s administration, persecuted Nigerians have witnessed unprecedented lopsided, provincial, cronyistic and clannish appointments, with respect to the top security architecture of the country. Such has never happened before in the history of Nigeria, since the 1914 Lugardian amalgamation, given the federal character principle, as encapsulated in section 14 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

    The daylight robbery and manipulation of election results in Ekiti State, with the active participation by and connivance of security agencies in the country, is akin to ubiquitous marauding herdsmen, who maim and kill at will, without as little as a public official condemnation from the presidency or the top security apparatchik of the country. Prior to the election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had cautioned INEC not to accept or announce any result that did not reflect the true votes cast at polling centres and the will of Ekiti people, as such would be a direct recipe to crisis.

    Few days to   the election, Nigerians witnessed the horrible spectre of the crude invasion of Ekiti State Government House, by armed policemen and other security agents at the behest, instructions and guidance of the federal government. In the process of this Kamikaze-like invasion of the government house and the intimidation of the sitting governor, Ayodele Fayose, who is covered by immunity under section 308 of the 1999 constitution, he was brutally assaulted, tear-gassed, shot at, brutalised and injured, leading to hospitalization at the government clinic, Ado Ekiti. His mobile lines were jammed. A security cordon was thrown around government house, preventing entry and exit. The atmosphere was devoid of one for a free and fair election. It was militarised.

    The beastly conduct of the police and the obviously acquiescing role of the federal government is, to say the least, most despotic, autocratic, undemocratic and barbaric.

    By the provisions of sections 39 and 40, of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as altered, the people of Ekiti State have fundamental rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association. The PDP in Ekiti State and its teeming supporters needed no permit from the police before holding their peaceful rally, on that day, just like the APC led by the president had a day earlier, held theirs, without any police permit (See ANPP vs. IGP (2007) 19 NWLR (Pt.1066) 457.

    The Governor of Ekiti State is the Chief Security Officer of the state (section 215 of the 1999 Constitution), and consequently, barricading the government house and meting out physical assault, inhuman and degrading treatment on the person of the governor, constitute a dangerous reminder of the gory hey days of ruthless military dictatorships in the sad history of Nigeria. (See section 34 of the Constitution).

    Power, it is said, belongs to God. But, it was expected that who became the next governor of Ekiti State ought to be at the behest of God, but as desired by the Ekiti people, not by an invading army. It was not supposed to be forced down the throats of the people by the power of the gun or teargas, or manipulation. A government that wantonly tramples on the fundamental rights of its helpless citizenry can never be trusted by the same citizens.

    Nigerians today live in morbid fear. They are no longer free to express their opinions. The executive arm of government is now harassing, brow-beating, intimidating and subduing opposition, critical voices and every other arm of government to submission. Judgments and orders of courts are disregarded with impunity, as just happened for the sixth time in the botched bail of Col Sabo Dasuki. We have witnessed unspeakable killings of innocent Nigerians on a daily basis; government impunity and opaqueness in governance. Nothing whatsoever, it appears, is being done by the government to address these ugly developments. It was Thomas Jefferson (former American president, who once said famously that, “when a government fears the people, there is liberty; but when the people fear their government, there is tyranny”. The latter is the situation in Nigeria today.

    Besides depriving Nigerians of the basic amenities of life, the federal government with Ekiti State as a case study, is now audaciously subverting the will of the people with the sheer brute force and ferocity of the federal might. We witnessed the horrors of police brutality, unleashing of thugs, and use of federal might. Nigerians experienced the horrors of ballot boxes snatching, deployment of helicopters, 30,000 policemen, soldiers, Civil Defence Corps, customs, immigration and armed thugs for a mere gubernatorial election in the small state of Ekiti, with a population of 2,384,212 people, the 29th state on population index in Nigeria, and with only 16 LGA’s!

    This portends that in the general presidential, National Assembly and gubernatorial elections of 2019, Nigeria would need an armada of naval, air-force, army, armoured, police, fighter jets and other military apparatchik to conduct the elections. This is simply insane. Elections in Nigeria have become a war of the survival of the fittest, the victory of the most armed and the triumph of sheer might and brute force. Money baggism and deep pockets are now icing on the cake. We witnessed open bazaar of vote purchase as if vote buying was part and parcel of a free, fair and credible election. So, this is the template for 2019 elections that INEC promised Nigerians?

    The trending humour on internet right now is: “in Nigeria, we conduct elections with soldiers and police, but fight terrorists with prayers”. Nigeria, we hail thee. Arise, O compatriots!

     

    • Chief Ozekhome, SAN, OFR, FCIArb, is a Constitutional Lawyer and Human Rights Activist.

  • INEC worried over rising cases of vote buying

    The Independent National Electoral Commission  ( INEC ) has expressed worries over rising cases of vote buying during elections by political parties.

    The commission accused politicians who could not subvert its administrative processes had resulted to vote buying and selling.

    National Commissioner and Head of Legal Services, INEC, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, said this at the public presentation of Election Monitor’s (EM) observation report on Ekiti governorship election, in Abuja, on Monday.

    Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu said INEC will work with relevant stakeholders to curb the practice.

    She said:“The commission is deeply concerned about the rising phenomenon of vote buying during elections and is determined to continue to work with all stakeholders, law enforcement agencies and the judiciary among others to find solutions to this menace.

    “Our own administrative processes can no longer be subverted. Vote buying therefore is the only way to subvert the integrity of an election.

    “Indeed as part of this process and in conjunction with the European Union Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), INEC legal officers across the country, together with selected police officers will be trained over the next three months on the prosecution of electoral offences.

    “We will also intensify voter education as this damaging trend has got to be stopped in its tracks.”

    She said it was the responsibility of INEC to prosecute electoral offenders, including those involved in buying and selling votes as well as announcement of false results as stipulated in its Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

    She however added that the commission lacked the powers to investigate and arrest offenders.

    “There are several provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended, criminalising bribery and corruption relating to voting during elections, including Sections 124, 126, 129 and 130.

    “INEC has continued to perfect its processes and has closed all loopholes. Results cannot now be written and neither can ballot boxes be gainfully snatched as the results will automatically be cancelled,” she added.

    National Coordinator, EM, Abiodun Ajijola, urged the commission to find solution to vote buying before the conduct of Osun state governorship elections in September.

    He commended INEC on increased use of card readers in Ekiti governorship election.

    “Vote buying needs to be stopped. It will be very sad if what happened in Ekiti is repeated in Osun governorship elections in September,” he added.

  • Imo APC elects new Chairman

    …Okorocha congratulates new officials

     

    The Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday elected a new State Chairman, Mr. Daniel Nwafor, during a well attended state Congress held at the Imo International Convention Centre (IICC).

    It will be recalled that the Federal High Court sitting in Owerri, had ordered for fresh congresses in the state, after it nullified the one earlier conducted by a faction of the party for flouting the provisions of the constitution of the party.

    The party consequently rescheduled the Ward, Local Government and State Congresses in the state in compliance with the Court judgment.

    Chairman of the Congress Committee, Adesayo Ojo, expressed satisfaction over the conduct of the exercise, noting that it complied with the extant rules of the party.

    He said that members of the Committee worked tirelessly to ensure that the exercise was hitch-free, while charging the newly elected state Executive members to work together as a team and bring back all aggrieved members to the fold.

    Ojo also tasked the State Working Committee to ensure that they reposition the party ahead of the 2019 general elections, so that the party will record landslide victory at all levels.

    In his speech shortly after his inauguration by the Chairman of the Congress Committee, the Chairman (Nwufor), pledged to run an inclusive leadership that will carry every member of the party along.

    According to him, the State Working Committee will as a matter of urgency, constitute a reconciliation committee that will reach out to all aggrieved members and settle all areas of dispute.

    He also hinted that the new state leadership of the party is poised to deliver the party 100 percent in the 2019 elections, adding that, “we are going to embark on aggressive membership drive to further strengthen our party and position it for victory”.

    According to Nwufor, “we are not going to leave anyone behind we are going to run an inclusive administration that will give every member equal opportunities. We are also going to quickly put machineries in motion to reach out to all aggrieved members of our great party so that together we can make our party greater.

    Certifying the Congress, a delegation from the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Imo State Office, led Mr. Victor Nwokeabia, the Head of Admin and Monitoring, said that the exercise met with the provisions of the constitution of the party.

    Read Also: Ngige: APC won’t hesitate to expel erring ministers – Oshiomhole

    He said, “we are here in compliance with the Electoral Act which mandates INEC to monitor activities of political parties including congresses of this nature and we are satisfied with the conduct of the APC State Congress held in Imo today”.

    The State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, who participated in the exercise, described it as “the legitimate exercise”, noting that the previous Congress purportedly held in the state was illegitimate”.

    He said, “you can see with the turnout today that this is the legitimate Congress because when you are allow the party members choose their leaders, it will deepen internal democracy”.

    The Governor congratulated the elected party officials and charged them to work hard and conduct the affairs of the party in line with constitution.

    Consequently, the 27 elected Local Government Chairmen were sworn-in by the State Chairman.

  • 2019: Clerics urge improvement on PVC distribution-voter education

    Clerics have called on the Independence Electoral Commission, ( INEC ) to boost effort in the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards, ( PVCs ) and evolve measures to curb vote-buying.

    The clerics, who made the call in separate interviews with the News men in Lagos on Monday, also urged the commission to ensure that results of elections were release on time.

    Rev.Fr. Innocent Ebuka, a Catholic priest of the Missionary Society of St. Paul, Lagos, said INEC needed to ensure all that registered voters get their PVCs ahead of the general elections in 2019.

    “The objective of the PVC is that every registered voter gets his or her card, on time, so as to allow him or her exercise his or her franchise during elections.

    “Already, there are complaints over the collection of the cards, as many of the registered voters are unable to get their PVCs.

    “Nigerians who registered to vote but cannot get their PVCs will not lend credibility to the elections,’’ Ebuka said.

    He said that incident where voters could not locate their particulars on the Voters’ Register on election days might cast doubt about the legitimacy of the elections in the minds of such voters.

    On his part, Pastor John Adebayo of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Harmony Parish, Itaoluwo, Lagos also urged INEC to review its result collation and the system of announcing election results.

    Read Also: Keep faith with Buhari, clerics tells Nigerians

    “By now, I expect INEC to be upgrading its ICT usage to improve on transmission of votes cast from distance voting stations to the main collation centre.
    “Processes that will make votes cast to be effectively collated and the results speedily announced should be on the front burner of INEC reform agenda.

    “A situation whereby announced results will not tally with number of registered voters or number of voided votes and other criteria before announcing final results may mar the legitimacy of the polls.

    “INEC needs to see that mistakes of the past in the area of announcing results don’t reoccur during the 2019 general elections,’’ he said.

    He also called on the electoral body to begin earnest to engage credible personnel and seasoned academics as electoral officers for the 2019 elections.

    Contributing, Sheik Sulaimon Habila, the Chief Imam, Jamahliy Muslim Society, Ikorodu Branch, called for more voter education that would discourage electorate from accepting any form of inducement before they elect their leaders.

    He also advised INEC to let party agents know the implication of inducing voters during voting to avert annulment of results according to the electoral law.

    “Campaign of any sort should not be allowed on voting day because it is against the law.

    “Any party that indulges in such should have its results at such polling station voided,’’ he said.

     

  • INEC set to fill Senate, other vacancies, says Yakubu

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) will be conducting four by-elections within the next 30 days, its chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has said.

    Yakubu said the time-table and schedule of activities for the by-elections will be released tomorrow.

    They are: the National Assembly elections in respect of Bauchi South, Katsina North and the Lokoja/Koton Karfe Federal Constituency in Kogi State. The fourth one is in respect of Obudu I State Constituency.

    The seats were declared vacant by the National Assembly and state assembly.

    The INEC boss, who spoke yesterday in Abuja at the opening of a regular meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja, said meetings with stakeholders in the affected states are ongoing.

    He said: “The commission is set to conduct by-elections to fill the vacancies in the four constituencies, which have over two million registered voters spread across 3,355 polling units in 234 wards and 22 local government areas.

    “Consultations with stakeholders in the affected states are ongoing. Considering the requirement of the law that such elections shall be conducted by the commission within 30 days, following the declaration of vacancy, we are planning to conduct all the four elections on the same date. The detailed timetable and scheduled of activities will be released on Friday this week,” he added.

    The by-elections, he said, would also serve as a test ground for the various innovations and improvement made on the process ahead of the Osun governorship poll scheduled for Saturday, September 22, 2018.

    “These by-elections will offer the commission yet another opportunity to fine-tune our processes and procedures in preparation for the Osun State governorship election and ultimately the 2019 general elections,” he stressed.

    Yakubu said: “We wish to once again reassure Nigerians that the commission will continue to improve the quality of our elections drawing from the lessons learnt from the collective experience of having conducted elections into 181 constituencies since the 2015 general elections made up of  six governorship elections, 11 senatorial districts, 23 federal constituencies, 73 state constituencies and 68 area council constituencies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”

    On the meeting with the RECs, Yakubu said the discussions will focus mainly on the ongoing Continuous Voters’ Registration (CVR) exercise.

    He explained that after wide ranging consultations with stakeholders, the exercise will be suspended on August 17, 2018.

    “So far, a total of 10,292,647 Nigerians have been registered as at Friday, July 13, 2018,” he said.

    Yakubu assured registered voters that their PVCs would be available for collection before the 2019 general elections.

  • INEC extends CVR registration time to weekends, public holidays

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday announced the inclusion of weekends and public holidays as word days of its personnel in ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

    It, however, stated that the extension to those days would commence on Aug. 1 and end on Aug. 17 when the exercise would be suspended until after the 2019 general elections.

    This commission disclosed this in statement by its
    National Commissioner and Member, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mallam Mohammed Haruna, in Abuja.

    The statement said that decision to extend the registration period was reached at commission’s meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from all the states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) which reviewed the nationwide exercise.

    It added that the exercise would also be extended from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, instead of the current daily duration of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    “Against the backdrop of the decision to suspend the exercise from Aug.17 until after the 2019 general elections, it was resolved that starting from Aug. 1, the CVR exercise will take place between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. instead of 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. as obtains presently.

    “It was also resolved that there will also be registration on Saturdays and Sundays as well as public holidays (if any) within the period.”

    The commission assured Nigerians of its commitment to ensuring free, fair and credible elections in 2019, and said that it had reviewed the conduct of Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti.

    It also said that it had started preparations for the governorship election Osun scheduled for Sept. 22.

    “INEC noted the satisfactory conduct of the Ekiti governorship election as attested to by both domestic and international Observers, the Media and other Stakeholders.

    “The meeting also noted with deep concern, the rising phenomenon of vote-buying during elections and restates its commitment and determination to continue to work with all stakeholders, especially the security agencies, to stem the ugly trend.” (NAN)

  • I will not disappoint Ekiti people – Fayemi

    Ekiti State Governor-elect Dr Kayode Fayemi has promised not to disappoint the people of the state who gave him the mandate in Saturday’s governorship election.

    Fayemi made the promise on Wednesday shortly after he was presented with the Certificate of Return as the governor-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    National Commissioner in charge of Oyo, Ekiti and Osun States, PrinceAdedeji Soyebi, presented Fayemi with the Certificate of Return at a
    ceremony held at state INEC Headquarters, New Iyin Road, Ado-Ekiti.

    Deputy Governor-elect Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi also received his Certificate of Return at the event. Fayemi and Egbeyemi were joined by their wives, Bisi and Margaret, respectively.

    Other dignitaries who witnessed the presentation are Chairman, Senate Committee on Trade and Investment, Senator Fatimat Raji Rasaki; state APC Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe; Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bello Ahmed; State Director of DSS, Mrs. Promise Iheanacho; Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr. Solomon Iyamu and heads of federal agencies in the state.

    The certificates presented to Fayemi and Egbeyemi were signed by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. The governor-elect and the deputy governor-elect also signed the documents.

    APC leaders and members chanted their party slogan: “APC Change! APC Change!! APC Change!!! as Fayemi collected his certificate at 11.30
    am.

    Speaking after he was presented with the document which authenticates his status as governor-elect, Fayemi said the people of Ekiti State
    will enjoy the benefit of good governance as from October 16 when he takes over the reins of power.

    The governor-elect commended the electoral agency for doing what he described as an “excellent job” of conducting the governorship poll.

    Contrary to the claim of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Fayemi affirmed that the election which returned him as winner was
    “seamless, free, fair, credible and violence-free.”

    There was a massive security build-up along New Iyin Road and the vicinity of INEC office as people streaming to the place were frisked
    before being allowed entry.

    Security was provided by officers and men of the Nigerian Army, the Police, the Department of State Services (DSS).

    A Police helicopter was hovering over the INEC office throughout the time the ceremony lasted.

    The governor-elect noted that INEC should be commended for conducting a process of 14 steps which culminated in the presentation of the
    Certificate of Return.

    Fayemi stressed that INEC did a yeoman’s job in delivering the election in a credible and professional manner despite fears being expressed in the build-up to the poll.

    The former Minister of Mines and Steel Development also commended the security agencies for providing security back-up which gave the
    electorate confidence to come out and exercise their franchise.

    Fayemi hailed the APC National Working Committee (NWC) led by the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the State Executive Committee led by the State Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe.

    He also expressed his appreciation to the traditional rulers for the stabilizing roles played in the run-up to the election and everybody
    that contributed to the success of the election.

    He said: “For INEC, the work has just ended and for us, the work has just started. We have a responsibility not to disappoint our people.

    “Ekiti people will see the benefit of good governance by the grace of God as from October 16.”

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. AbdulGaniy Raji, expressed delight that the election was held despite the tension that
    preceded it.

    Raji commended the people of Ekiti State for the maturity displayed before during and after the election which he was successful.

    He said with the conduct of the poll, Ekiti is moving higher and expressed hope that futures elections to be conducted in the state will be successful.

    Speaking earlier, INEC National Commissioner Soyebi noted that the presentation of Certificate of Return marked the end of the process of
    the Ekiti governorship election.

    Soyebi who described Ekiti as a homogenous state urged the people of the state to continue being one another’s brother’s keepers.

    He said: “Today marks the end of the (governorship) election in Ekiti State on the part of the Commission which is the presentation of Certificates of Return to the governor-elect and the deputy governor-elect.

    “If there are issues arising from the election, there is another arm of government that will take care of that. This is another important day in the history of the state.

    “On behalf of the Commission, I congratulate everybody. Ekiti has pointed the way forward in conducting elections in Nigeria.”

  • INEC to conduct four bye-elections same day, says Yakubu

    …Meets RECs to discuss voter registration, collection of PVCs

     

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) will be conducting four bye-elections within the next 30 days, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has said.

    Yakubu also said that the time-table and schedule of activities for the bye-elections will be released Friday.

    The bye-elections are: the National Assembly elections in respect of Bauchi South Senatorial district, Katsina North senatorial district and the Lokoja/Koton Karfe Federal constituency in Kogi state. While the fourth one, a state assembly is in respect of Obudu I state constituency. The seats were declared vacant by the National Assembly and state assembly.

    Read Also:INEC to ‘curb’ vote buying

    INEC boss, who spoke Wednesday in Abuja at the opening of a regular meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja said meetings with stakeholders in the affected states are ongoing.

    He said: “the commission is set to conduct bye-elections to fill the vacancies in the four constituencies which have a total of over two (2million) million registered voters spread across 3,355 polling units in 234 wards and 22 Local Government Areas.”

    “Consultations with stakeholders in the affected states are ongoing. Considering the requirement of the law that such elections shall be conducted by the commission within 30 days following the declaration of vacancy, we are planning to conduct all the four elections on the same date. The detailed timetable and scheduled of activities will be released on Friday this week,” he added.

    The bye-elections, he said will also serve as a test ground for the various innovations and improvement made on the process ahead of the Osun governorship poll scheduled for Saturday, 22nd September 2018.

    “These bye-elections will offer the Commission yet another opportunity to fine-tune our processes and procedures in preparation for the Osun state governorship election and ultimately the 2019 general elections,” he stressed.

    He therefore assured Nigerians that the commission will continue to improve the quality of elections in the country.

  • Fayemi gets Certificate of Return Wednesday

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will present the Certificate of Return to the Ekiti State governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Wednesday.

    The deputy governor-elect, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, will also receive his Certificate of Return at the ceremony.

    The ceremony is slated for 11:00 a.m. at the state INEC headquarters along new Iyin Road in Ado-Ekiti.

    Fayemi, who represented the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election, defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola and 33 other candidates to win Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

    He polled 197,459 votes while Olusola garnered 178, 121.

    The INEC Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Taiwo Gbadegesin, disclosed this in a telephone chat with our correspondent  on Tuesday evening.

    Fayemi will be inaugurated on October 16.