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Tag: Inec

  • Nothing has changed on 2019 election sequence – INEC

    Nothing has changed on 2019 election sequence – INEC

    The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said on Monday said nothing has changed in the dates announced for the 2019 general elections.

    Yakubu noted that the stand of the Commission was based on the existing law of the country.

    He spoke at a media parley in Abuja as part of the preparation towards the 2019 general election.

    The INEC chief noted that budget for the 2019 general election would be presented to the National Assembly before the end of the week.

    He said there is no lacuna in the existing law and where there is any amendment, the Commission would adjust.

    “But until that is done, INEC would still stand by the time table and scheduled of activities it released on January 9, 2018,” Yakubu stated.

    The two chambers of the National Assembly passed a bill to change the order of the general election, making the presidential election the last to be conducted.

    Yakubu stressed that the Commission only interest is for free, fair and credible elections.

    He added: “None of us here have any other interest.

    “On the bill passed by the joint House of the National Assembly, the second issue I will like to comment on relating to the preparation to the 2019 general elections is the electoral legal framework. We are aware of the bill passed by the two chambers of the National Assembly, awaiting assent. And we are aware also of the furor generated by the provisions of Section 25 of the extant law.

    “On January 9 this year, we issued a time table and scheduled of activities for 2019 general election based on the extant law and nothing has changed.

    “As it is at the moment, the only laws that exist are the electoral law 2010 as amended and the constitution of Nigeria, 1999 as amended. We released the time table and scheduled of election on the basis of law as it exists and that is the position of the Commission going forward.”

    The election, according to him, will begin with presidential and National Assembly polls on February 15, while governorship, states Assembly and FCT Area council elections take place on March 2.

    “We have already informed you that there is a principle that is behind these days. As democracy matures we should move to certainty, away from uncertainty. So dates for future elections in the country have been fixed by the Commission for the third Saturday in the month of February of the election year, which is 2019. Followed two weeks later by state governorship election which in 2019 falls on March 2,” he said.

  • INEC : 215,000 PVC’s yet to be collected in Ekiti

    INEC : 215,000 PVC’s yet to be collected in Ekiti

     

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ekiti State has expressed concern that over 215,000 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) are yet to be collected less than five months to the governorship election.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. AbdulGaniy Raji, disclosed this in Ado-Ekiti on Monday while speaking with reporters in his office on preparations for the governorship poll.

    Raji who spoke through INEC Public Relations Officer (PRO) in Ekiti State, Mr. Taiwo Gbadegesin, expressed worry over apathy of voters to the collection of PVCs despite the enlightenment being carried out by the agency.

    He said the state government has been partnering traditional rulers, religious organizations, political parties and the media to increase the political awareness of the electorate in Ekiti.

    “We have done a lot of jingles and also working with all our outfits in the 16 local governments for voter education but despite these efforts, our people seem to be showing apathy.

    “As we speak now, we have about 215,000 PVCs with us that are yet to be claimed.”

    “We are hopeful that all these will be collected before that election, because our aim is to ensure that we have high turnout during that election like we witnessed in July 21, 2014”.

    Read Also: Fayose expresses fear over Ekiti poll

    The electoral chief stressed that cases of underage voting won’t be allowed during the July 14 governorship election in the state as the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise was being monitored to prevent those who have not reached the voting age from registering.

    He added: “From inception, we have not accepted such tendency of underage voting here in Ekiti and we won’t tolerate it. Election is a serious matter that has to do with people’s sovereignty that must not be abridged in any form.

    “So, we are assuring you that the Ekiti governorship election will meet international standard. We will improve on our outstanding past records to the extent that all the political parties and stakeholders will have cause to commend us.”

    Raji also disclosed that ad hoc staff members to be used for the election including the youth corps members are undergoing training on the best electoral practices.

    His words: “Yes, we are working with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) where we will draw our ad hoc staff from.

    “We have started training them and engaging them in election seminars, so that they can be well educated about the conduct of elections.

    “We have started training for our staff here in INEC and we are awaiting instructions from our national headquarters to lift ban on electioneering campaigns, so that we can increase our work rate here in our office.”

  • PDP faults INEC’s investigation panel on underage voters

    PDP faults INEC’s investigation panel on underage voters

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the composition and scope of the eight-man panel set up by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate the existence of underage voters, particularly in Kano and Katsina states.

    The committee was set up by the chairman of the INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, following public outcry that trailed underage voting in local elections in Kano and Katsina states.

    A statement yesterday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the panel constituted by INEC lacked credibility.

    The PDP observed that the panel comprised only INEC officials and excluding political parties, civil society organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

    The party expressed fears that the panel might have been detailed to arrive at predetermined findings and recommendations aimed at exonerating INEC and downplaying the existence of underage voters on its register.

    The PDP also repudiated the scope of the inquest, which excluded Katsina State where underage voters were captured on camera in a recent local election.

    The PDP said INEC under Prof. Yakubu had continued to manifest weaknesses and bias, stressing that the commission could not be trusted to conduct the 2019 general elections.

  • INEC, Gov Bello and rule of law

    INEC, Gov Bello and rule of law

    LAST Friday, the cantankerous and inconspicuous Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello celebrated the transfer of his voter card from Abuja, the Federal Capital City, to Okene, his hometown in Kogi State. It had seemed impossible. He could neither be voted for nor voted for anyone during the state’s governorship poll late 2015. But by an abracadabra inspired and executed by a group of political and legal conspirators, Mr Bello, who was registered to vote only in Abuja, was elevated crudely and insanely into the office of governor of the state without a deputy. The issue of that bizarre transmutation came up before three courts — from the election tribunal to the Court of Appeal and eventually the Supreme Court. In a move that defied logic, morality and common sense, the courts paid no attention to the clear treason involved in the conspirators’ subversion of the constitution.

    To reset and right his electoral standing, Mr Bello childishly orchestrated a second voter card registration at the Government House in Lokoja last year, a move that was publicly celebrated by his aides. Responding to the affront, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) waded in, queried its staff who deployed in Government House to register the governor where no registration centre was approved, punished the offending staff who masterminded the charade by dismissing them, and announced to the public that but for the immunity enjoyed by the governor, he would have been dragged before a competent court to answer for his criminal breach of the Electoral Act. The governor swore he committed no offence, but no one believed him.

    But rather than wait for him to prove his innocence before the courts after his tenure in 2020, the electoral commission apparently restarted Mr Bello’s voter card transfer process, ignored his double registration offence, and last Friday issued him a temporary voter card to indicate that the card transfer process was completed. In addition to Mr Bello himself, INEC also has a case to answer. It must be established why the electoral commission would stand the law on its head and shamefully subvert the rule of law and their own integrity and independence. Were they pressured from higher quarters? What becomes of their registration staff who were dismissed? Does Nigeria have two sets of law, one for the poor and disadvantaged, and another for the rich and connected? INEC and Mr Bello’s godfathers can bet their last kobo that the last has not been heard of this shameful and provocative subversion of electoral law and the constitution.

     

  • Bakassi: S/Court sets aside judgment compelling INEC to conduct election in 10 new wards

    Bakassi: S/Court sets aside judgment compelling INEC to conduct election in 10 new wards

    The Supreme Court yesterday set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal, Calabar, which compelled INEC to conduct elections in the 10 wards of Ikang, Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State.

    Delivering the judgment, Justice John Okoro, held that it was the constitutional responsibility of the electoral body to create electoral wards and not the state.

    The Cross River State House of Assembly had adjusted the old three Ikang wards in Akpabuyo Local Government Area to 10 in line with Law No. 7 of Cross River State 2007.

    The judge, also held that the state had the right to make such law, adding that the “Law No.7” was not illegal.

    He said the law did not create any constituencies, but adjusted boundaries of Akpabuyo to accommodate Bakassi.

    Okoro therefore, said albeit the two lower courts were wrong to have ordered INEC to conduct elections in areas it did not delineate for that purpose.

    “The decision of the Court of Appeal, Calabar, is set aside but the commission should do the needful by formally delineating the 10 wards in Ikang for election purposes.

    “The people of Bakassi have suffered enough and they should be made to have sense of belonging,” he said.

    Dissatisfied with the decisions of the lower court, INEC had approached the apex court praying it to set aside the two judgments.

    The other appellant in the matter was the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Cross River State.

    The appellants by this appeal registered their grievances with the decision of the Court of Appeal, Calabar delivered on Dec.6, 2013 dismissing their appeal against the judgment of Justice A.F.A Ademola of the Federal High Court, Calabar.

    The respondents are Muri Asuquo, Chief Antigha Cobham, Chief Bassey Etim, and Chief Effiong Iman.

    The respondents had initiated the case on behalf of the people of Ikang Clan, Esighi Clan, Antigha Ene Eyo Clan and Eduhu Idim Ikot Eyi Clan of Bakassi Local Government Area.

    Based on the notice and grounds of appeal filed as aforementioned, the Appellants formulated four issues for formulation.

    The appellant further sought the court’s explanation whether or not the lower court was right when it entertained in suit No. FHC/C/41/2012 for the second time the same issues it had conclusively resolved.

    They also asked the court to decide on whether or not the creation and delineation and adjustment of the boundaries of the two local government areas in No.7 for the 2012 governorship election was legal.

    The appellants further asked to know whether or not the judgment of the lower court which ordered the appellants to conduct the 2012 governorship election in the 10 wards was not illegal.

  • Jega to Fed Govt, INEC on elections reorder: go to court

    Jega to Fed Govt, INEC on elections reorder: go to court

    Controversy over the reordering of next year’s general elections by the National Assembly was on the front-burner yesterday.

    Those opposed amendment by the upper and lower chambers should go to court, the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, counselled yesterday.

    Jega urged the Federal Government, INEC and other interested parties to challenge the action in a court of law.

    He corrected the notion that the National Assembly fixed a date for the elections; saying that the lawmakers merely reordered the sequence.

    Jega spoke in Abuja at an event organised by the Youth Initiative for Advocacy Growth and Development.

    Speaking on the theme: “Is Nigeria’s democracy under threat?” the former INEC chair said it has become imperative for the parties to seek judicial interpretation on the matter.

    He said: “Both INEC and the interested parties have been reluctant to go to court for interpretation of constitutional provisions and this is significant because this has to do with the independence of electoral bodies.

    “Frankly, a lot of the arguments on this cannot be wished away and I think it is necessary for the independence of the electoral commission because that is key to the integrity of the electoral process because if we allow people to jettison and undermine that independence for whatever reason, then we are in serious problem. I think there is serious justification to test this matter in court.”

    He stated that the organisation and scheduling of elections remained INEC’s exclusive preserve.

    Jega said: “I am struggling to see where the National Assembly found the constitutional justification for what they have done. I will mention two specific provisions. First of all, in the Schedule of the Constitution, Part 15 Section 1 of the said schedule, INEC has the constitutional power to organise, undertake and supervise elections.

    “But that is not enough. In Section 76 (1), Section 111 (1) and Section 178 (1), it is categorically stated that elections shall be held on a date to be appointed by INEC. So, if elections are to be held on a date set by INEC, where does the National Assembly get the power?

    “As far as I am concerned, the dates and the sequence for elections are together.”

    The former INEC chief however argued that the action of the National Assembly would add to the cost of electoral process as it will now hold on three days instead of two.

    Arguing that politicians remained the biggest threat to democracy, he said politicians continued to undermine INEC’s independence, making the commission’s job more difficult.

    Also speaking on the alleged underage voting, especially in the last local government election in Kano State, Jega said he was hopeful that the committee set up by INEC to investigate the matter would answer many questions.

    He, however, said it was very difficult for the names of underage persons to be removed from the register because Nigeria lacked the technology and database of persons of voting age.

    Jega said: “I don’t think there are children on the INEC voter register but it is possible. The range of possibility is very wide. I can tell you that when INEC was finalising the register for the 2015 general elections, there was no software and there is still no electronic device that can distinguish a child from an adult once they are on the register.

    “So, the only thing I knew INEC did was to get a team of people to visually go through the register and if you do that, people who are below 12 can be identified visually as children but by the time you get to people who are 15, 16, 17 years old, it is very difficult.

    “The margin of error is significant in terms of visual identification of who is of age to be on the register. Also, in the National Assembly, there are people who have baby faces.

    “So, using visual method, people who have baby faces run the risk of being removed from the register. So, the challenge is to prevent children from being on the register. Once they get on the register, the possibility of continuing to be there will remain.”

    A former Labour Party (LP) Chairman Chief Dan Nwanywanwu, who spoke on the alleged underage voting said any register where underage voters were found should be purged completely while the process of registration be done anew.

    Nwanywanwu hailed the National Assembly for changing the sequence of the election.

    He, however, stated that the House of Assembly elections should come first instead of the National Assembly poll.

  • Under-aged voting: INEC sets up eight-member probe panel

    Under-aged voting: INEC sets up eight-member probe panel

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set up a eight-member committee to investigate the alleged underaged voting in the recent Kano State Local Government Election.

    The Committee, which has two weeks to turn in its report has Abubakar Nahuche, a national Commissioner as Chairman.

    Other members of the committee are: Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, a national Commissioner, Kassim Geidam Resident Electoral Commissioner, Adamawa State, Yakubu Duku, Electoral Operations Department, Mrs. Rukayat Bello Voter Registry Department, Paul Omokere ICT Department and Mr. Jude Okwuonu P&M Department, Secretary.

    The Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu announced the composition of the panel yesterday when he received in audience Leadership of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON) at the Commission’s headquarters.

    Yakubu said the committee shall focus solely on the allegation of under-aged persons on the voter register.

    The committee, he said, among other things is to ascertain if the voter register requested by the KSIEC was actually used in the council poll.

    As part of the terms of reference, the committee is to investigate the widespread report that persons below the statutory age of 18 years voted using INEC’s register.

    The committee he said is also expected to engage with stakeholders on issues related to the use of the voter register in the election.

    At the end of its work, the committee is expected to make any other recommendations which in its opinion are relevant to its assignment.

    He stressed that since both bodies have constitutional mandate to conduct elections, the committee is not investigating the conduct or outcome of Local Government election by the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KSIEC).

    Besides, he said issue of under-aged voting has given cause for the review of the aspect of the collaboration between the Commission and the SIEC.

    He said: “INEC will continue to improve on our processes and procedures. We are totally committees to the task of strengthening our electoral process. Where we have cause to review aspects of our collaboration, we will not hesitate to do so. One such area is the alleged incidence of under-aged voting in the recent Local Government election in Kano state. We promised Nigerians that the matter will be fully investigated and a committee will be set up for this purpose headed by a national commissioner with Resident Electoral Commissioners and staff from technical departments of the commission as members.

  • Under-aged voting: INEC sets up 8 member investigation panel

    Under-aged voting: INEC sets up 8 member investigation panel

    …Panel to turn in report in two weeks

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set up a eight member committee to investigate the alleged underaged voting in the recent Kano state Local Government Election.

    The Committee which has two weeks to turn in its report has Engineer Abubakar Nahuche, a national Commissioner as Chairman.

    Other members of the committee are: Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, a national Commissioner, Barrister Kassim Geidam Resident Electoral Commissioner, Adamawa state, Yakubu Duku, Electoral Operations Department, Mrs. Rukayat Bello Voter Registry Department, Paul Omokere ICT Department and Mr. Jude Okwuonu P&M Department, Secretary.

    The Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu announced the composition of the panel yesterday when he received in audience Leadership of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON) at the Commission’s headquarters.

    Yakubu said the committee shall focus solely on the allegation of under-aged persons on the voter register.

    The committee he said among other things is to ascertain if the voter register requested by the KSIEC was actually used in the council poll.

    As part of the terms of reference, the committee is to investigate the widespread report that persons below the statutory age of 18 years voted using INEC’s register.

    The committee he said is also expected to engage with stakeholders on issues related to the use of the voter register in the election.

    At the end of its work, the committee is expected to make any other recommendations which in its opinion are relevant to its assignment.

    He stressed that since both bodies have constitutional mandate to conduct elections, the committee is not investigating the conduct or outcome of Local Government election by the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KSIEC).

    Besides, he said issue of under-aged voting has given cause for the review of the aspect of the collaboration between the Commission and the SIEC.

    He said: “INEC will continue to improve on our processes and procedures. We are totally committees to the task of strengthening our electoral process. Where we have cause to review aspects of our collaboration, we will not hesitate to do so. One such area is the alleged incidence of under-aged voting in the recent Local Government election in Kano state. We promised Nigerians that the matter will be fully investigated and a committee will be set up for this purpose headed by a national commissioner with Resident Electoral Commissioners and staff from technical departments of the commission as members.

    For the purpose of clarification, the committee is not investigating the conduct or outcome of the Local Government election by the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission. These are outside the constitutional and legal responsibilities of INEC. Rather, the committee shall focus solely on the allegation of under-aged persons on the voter register.

    On the relationship between INEC and the forum of SIEC, Yakubu regretted the none consistency in the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both parties in 2012.

    This he blamed on paucity of funds and the high rate of turnover of SIEC Chairmen and Commission members.

    “We believe that consistent collaboration with SIECs and the knowledge gained through the regular conduct of Local Government elections are invaluable to enhancing the quality of elections at that level.

    “Regrettably, both the processes and outcomes of Local Government elections have become issues of heated discussion among Nigerians,” he added.

    While noting that the existing MoU needs to be reviewed as a matter of urgency, he however assured the forum of the commission’s readiness to partner with SIECs.

    Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Forum, Justice Igbozurike Akomas (rtd) said the visit was to reawaken and strengthen the tenets of the MoU so as to achieve the core objectives of conducting free, fair and credible elections at all levels.

    Akomas also solicited for the support of INEC towards SIECs achieving financial independence.

    He said, “We wish to solicit the continued cooperation of INEC in working towards SIECs becoming more efficient in discharge of their constitutional duties. Today any person who visits the INEC website sees a clock counting down to the 2019 General Elections. It is a reflection of how INEC legal framework has given her capacity and independence to carryout long term plan towards election. This we believe is also achievable for SIECs if INEC supports the struggle of SIECs towards financial independence. “

     

  • Underage voting: KANSIEC ready for INEC probe

    Underage voting: KANSIEC ready for INEC probe

    The Chairman of Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Prof. Garba Ibrahim Sheka, has said the commission is ready  for INEC probe over allegations of underage voting in last Saturday’s council elections.

    A statement by Prof. Sheka said: “This move, announced by Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, was hinged on video footages on the social media, allegedly showing child-voters participating in the polls.

    “While we hail the INEC’s decision to investigate the allegation, we restate our stand that the election, which was supervised by independent monitors, is adjudged the most peaceful in the history of Kano State.

    “As the only statutory body which registers voters and keeps the database of certified electorate, we will cooperate with the investigators to ascertain the veracity of the allegations.

    “We are also confident that the outcome of the investigation will vindicate us and strengthen the confidence of the public in KANSIEC to conduct free elections.”

     

  • Furore over INEC timetable

    SIR: The amendment to the Electoral Act, 2010 continues to dominate discussions across the country. Ordinarily, this should be expected as the general election is fast approaching and many events would naturally be unfolding.

    From the INEC schedule, the presidential and National Assembly elections would hold on February 16, 2019; gubernatorial and state Houses of Assembly elections on March 2, 2019. But with the just-concluded amendment by the National Assembly, there is a reversal in the order of elections with the National Assembly elections holding first; elections into the state houses of assembly and governorship second, while the presidential election would come last.

    Critics believe that Section 76 of the 1999 Constitution empowers INEC to organise elections. Second, the impending reordering of the sequence of elections would have dire cost implications on both public and business life of the nation, considering the compulsory restriction of human and vehicular movements on election days. They also allege that the idea was selfish on the part of the legislators as the amendment was never thoroughly discussed.

    The amendment is a welcome development – good for our polity. There is nothing unconstitutional in what the federal lawmakers are doing. However, one of three things may happen in the political terrain in next few weeks. First, the president may give his assent a most unlikely proposition; secondly, he may refuse his assent leaving the National Assembly the option of a veto. This too may not happen because of the sharp division among the lawmakers. Thirdly, legal action could be instituted by either party for the courts to come in and resolve the potential constitutional logjam. Of the three possibilities, the third option may hold sway. While I cannot accurately preempt what may happen next, one can confidently say that, if the amendment is passed into law, it would definitely add value to our electoral process.

    Beyond the amendment, focus should be centred on what still needs to be done to have fair, credible and transparent elections in Nigeria. These include adequate and timely release of funds to INEC; minimising voters’ apathy, especially among the elites; learning from past mistakes for improved electioneering; display of honesty, sincerity and determination by all stakeholders, among others. When we strive towards achieving these, the nation would actually be marching forward and seen to be entrenching the desired and solid democratic culture for good governance.

     

    • Adewale Kupoluyi,

    Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.