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Tag: Inec

  • INEC to investigate reports of under-aged voting

    INEC to investigate reports of under-aged voting

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, said on Friday the Commission would investigate allegations of voting by under-aged persons in last weekend’s local government election in Kano State.

    Yakubu, who spoke in Lagos, also said INEC would study the sequence of elections recently adopted by the National Assembly for next year’s polls ahead of a firm decision on the matter.

    He said an INEC national commissioner would next week lead a team to Kano State for an immediate and comprehensive investigation of reports of under-aged voting which has gone viral on the internet.

    He said: “The eligibility for registration as a voter in Nigeria is clearly defined in Section 12 (1) of the Electoral Act.

    “This includes citizenship, residence and the attainment of the mandatory age of 18 years.

    “Recent reports of violations by under-aged persons following the local government elections in Kano State are deeply disturbing.

    “It is true that the State Independent Electoral Commission had requested INEC for a copy of the voter register. I can confirm also that a soft copy of the register was made available to the state. The voter register in Kano State is the one used for the 2015 general election.

    “In July 2016, INEC used the same register to conduct a State Assembly bye-election in Minjibir Constituency which has 78,210 registered voters spread across 126 polling units clustered in 11 Registration Areas (Wards).

    “In that election conducted by INEC, no single incidence of under-aged voter was recorded. What therefore happened in the last local government election conducted by the State Electoral Commission? Was the voter register actually used or not?

    “We wish to assure Nigerians that the matter will be fully investigated. A National Commissioner from INEC will lead a team to Kano next week involving technical staff of the Commission drawn from the Voter Registry (VR), Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and the Electoral Operations (EOps) Departments for an immediate and comprehensive investigation. We will share the findings of the investigation with Nigerians. I wish to assure Nigerians that going forward, we will interrogate the voter register nationwide in order to purge it of any possible ineligible registrants.”

    On the National Assembly amendment to the order of election, he said the INEC is still guided by the order of election released in January 2018.

    He, however, said the latest amendment to the electoral laws would be studied by the Commission and action taken at the appropriate time.

     

     

  • INEC warns fraudulent officers

    INEC warns fraudulent officers

    The Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Sam Olumekun, has warned the commission’s workers of the consequence of collecting gratification before performing their duties.

    He said INEC would not compromise standard in the 2019 general election.

    Addressing reporters yesterday in Lagos, Olumekun said some people were extorting voters before registering them.

    The REC said machinery was in motion to apprehend those involved in the criminal act.

    He said: “The commission’s problem in the voter registration is extortion. Reports have reached us that some people are being asked gratification before they are registered.

    “I must say any worker caught demanding gratification will be dealt with. Nobody is supposed to give any dime to anybody before he or she can be registered. The public should watch out and report anybody who falls within the category.”

     

     

  • INEC: 250,000 PVCs uncollected in FCT

    INEC: 250,000 PVCs uncollected in FCT

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday said over 250, 000 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were yet to be collected by registered voters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Head, Voter Education and Publicity, Gender and Civil Society Liaison Mrs Ndidi Okafor told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the rate of PVC collection in the area was low.

    Okafor said the uncollected PVCs were from the 2011, 2014, and 2016 voter registration by the commission in the territory.

    She said: “We are appealing to Nigerians to please come and collect their PVCs; it is not just enough to come and register, you have to complete the process by collecting your card.

    “We are doing a lot of partnerships with different organizations to create awareness on this; we go to churches and mosques to do advocacy and we even visit traditional rulers to help us talk to their subjects.

    “However, the commission cannot do this alone; political parties have a strategic role to play, so we urge them to talk to their supporters to send down these messages to the grassroots.’’

    Okafor appealed to Nigerians not to be discouraged by the long queue they met at voter registration centres, assuring that INEC was working out how to make the exercise hitch-free.

    She urged Nigerians to be more patient with the process “because it is their right to register and vote’’.

    “We need to be supportive of this process so that we can all register.

    “The wisdom here is that no matter how long these queues are, they get cleared up early because not everyone there is for registration.

    “Some people are just there to transfer their voter cards, while others are for corrections. So, ideally nobody is supposed to spend up to five minutes on the queue,’’ she explained.

    Okafor said the registration centres in the FCT had been increased from 22 to 32 and urged people to go and register.

    She said on April 27, 2017 when the exercise started, FCT had only six registration centres, but that due to stakeholders demanded, 16 new centres were added.

    She added that 10 more centres were recently created, bringing the number to 32 for the six area councils in the territory.

    Okafor said INEC was also taking steps to increase the number of registration machines in the centres, especially in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), which had nine centres.

    She said 10 machines and the scanners had also been deployed at the centres.

     

  • 2019: Senators divided over amendment to election sequence

    2019: Senators divided over amendment to election sequence

    Senators were on Wednesday divided over new amendment to the Electoral Act regarding election sequence in the 2019 general elections.

    Specifically, the disagreement was sparked by Section 25(1) of the amendment bill, which places the National Assembly election as first in the sequence of elections.

    The bill has been passed and concurred with by the two chambers of the National Assembly and in the process of being forwarded to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.

    Going by the provision of the new bill, the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections come next to the National Assembly election, followed by the presidential election, which comes last.

    But a handful of the senators have kicked against the bill, saying it was self-serving and targeted at the President’s re-election bid.

    Leading opposition to the bill was Senator Abdullahi Adamu (APC Nasarawa West), whose argument against the bill was truncated at the plenary session by the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki.

    Adamu, leading nine other senators, thereafter, stormed out of the chambers to address a press conference where he and members of his group said the amendment was in bad faith.

    Speaking one after the other, the nine senators picked holes in the bill, saying it was clearly skewed against the President and insisted that amendment was hasty and uncalled for.

    According to the protesting senators, the bill sought to usurp the constitutional role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the elections.

    The senators also faulted the process leading to the amendment, as according to them, only 36 of the 360 members of the House of Representatives passed the amendment bill.

    The number, they said, failed to form the required quorum.

     

     

  • INEC distance self from ‘under aged voting’

    INEC distance self from ‘under aged voting’

    THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it does not have control over local government elections.

    A statement issued by its Director, Voter Education & Publicity, Mr. Oluwole Osaze Uzzi, stated that local government elections were exclusively the constitutional responsibility of the state electoral commissions, which are not under the control or supervision of INEC.

    The statement, which was reacting to videos and tapes of under aged voting in a elections in some part of the country, assured the public that the images did not relate in any way to any election organised, conducted or superintended by INEC.

    Uzzi noted that the commission would ensure a credible election in 2019.

    The statement reads: “The commission wishes to inform the public that the images do not relate in any way to any election organised, conducted or superintended by INEC. As far as the commission can ascertain, they relate to a local government election conducted at the weekend, and over which we have no legal control or responsibility whatsoever.

    “While the commission remains resolute in our commitment to sanitise the nation’s electoral process and deliver free, fair and credible elections, we cannot be held directly or vicariously liable for an exercise outside our legal purview.”

  •  Labour Party asks INEC to stop recognising ex-chairman

    THE Labour Party (LP) has petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over alleged refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stop recognising its past National Chairman, Alhaji A.A. Salam.

    The petition, titled: “Recognition of Mike Omotosho as the National Chairman of Labour Party,” dated January 29, 2018, was signed by the party’s Acting National Secretary, Julius Abure.

    The party urged the NHRC to prevail on the INEC to remove the name of Salam from its website and replace it with Dr. Mike Omotosho to forestall any confusion among members of the public.

    Abure said the laid down constitutional provision was followed and that a decision of the Special Convention of the party held on October 3, 2017, which INEC monitored, finally endorsed the removal of Salem as the LP National Chairman and was replaced by Dr. Mike Omotosho.

    He stated that upon taking the aforesaid decision on Salam, the INEC was “informed in writing; the 21 days notice was duly given, the police was informed and all other provisions followed diligently and yet INEC has refused to take the necessary action despite the powers political parties have to choose their leaders.

    Abure said: “It is expected that the NHRC would quickly investigate the allegation against INEC in line with its mandate and rules of procedures to ensure that it arrives at an informed decision on the matter.

  • Ogun PDP: Court orders INEC, PDP to obey judgment

    Ogun PDP: Court orders INEC, PDP to obey judgment

    The Federal High Court in Lagos at the weekend ordered the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to recognise the Adebayo Dayo-led executive in Ogun State.

    Justice Mohammed Idris held the executive’s tenure will not expire until May 2020.

    The PDP in Ogun has been embroiled in leadership tussle, leading to factional crisis.

    The suit was filed by a member of the PDP National Working Committee, Adewole Adeyanju, Ogun State Youth Leader Femi Alao, “national delegates” for Sagamu and Ijebu North Local Government Areas Idris Muniru and Chief Tuke Omotara, chairman of Ijebu East LGA Badejo Abiodun and chairman of Sagamu LGA Kola Akinyemi.

    They sued for themselves and on behalf of “PDP Ogun State Delegates to the National Convention”.

    The defendants include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, Tunde Odanye and others.

    The plaintiffs urged the court to hold that there was a subsisting and binding judgment and orders of the Federal High Court in Lagos and Abuja delivered and issued on June 24, 2016 and on August 10 last year.

    The plaintiffs said by virtue of the court verdicts, only they were entitled to attend and participate in PDP conventions.

    They urged the court to restrain the PDP Caretaker Committee in Ogun State from usurping the plaintiffs’ functions as “authentic officers of the Ogun PDP Executive Committee” led by Chief Adebayo Dayo.

    Justice Idris, in his verdict, dismissed the defendants’ objection on the ground the plaintiffs are beneficiaries of the judgement delivered by Justice Ibrahim Buba in a suit no FHC/L/CS/636/2016.

    Justice Buba held that the tenure of the Adebayo Dayo led executive subsists until May 2020.

    Affirming the judgment, Justice Idris directed INEC and the PDP (first and second defendants) to obey Justice Buba’s orders.

    The court also nullified the congresses held in defiance to Justice Buba’s judgement and orders.

    The court nullified the appointment of Odanye and others as Ogun State PDP Caretaker Committee, saying their appointment was contrary to Justice Buba’s judgment which affirmed Adeboyo Dayo -led exco.

     

  • INEC sues for sanity during 2019 elections

    INEC sues for sanity during 2019 elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wants stakeholders to ensure good conduct and orderliness during the 2019 elections.

    Professor Francis Ezeonu, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Imo State, gave the advice yesterday during a sensitisation visit on voter registration with members of his team to Isiala Mbano Local Government area of Imo.

    He said that the days of ballot box snatching, falsification of results and harassment of electoral officers were gone as all results would be transmitted electronically as soon as counting of votes were over.

    Ezeonu warned stakeholders such as polling agents, local observers, voters and politicians to play the game according to the rules to ensure smooth conduct of the polls.

    He said that plans were underway by INEC to establish an Electoral Offences Commission with a tribunal to tackle all electoral offences and secure conviction.

    Ezeonu highlighted the benefits of the voter registration exercise and urged participants to ensure they carried the news to the grassroots for mass turn out of people.

    He assured that the card reader machines had been improved upon and would be successfully used in the coming elections without the anticipated problems.

    According to him, voters’ registration could be used as a means of confirming census figures as well as used by politicians for community development.

    Earlier, the Electoral Officer in Isiala Mbano Local Government, Mr. Emeka Okike, gave a progress report of the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) and Permanent Voters Card (PVC) distribution in the local government area.

    He stressed the need for people to collect their PVCs to be able to vote during the forthcoming elections.

    Okike noted that there had been improvement in the number of people that turned out for the registration since the commission’s policy of taking the registration to the ward level commenced.

    He said that of the 79, 935 PVCs registered in the LGA, 11, 595 were yet to be collected and frowned at peoples’ reluctance to collect their PVC.

    Ezeonu described the voter card as the most lethal weapon in modern day democracy.

    Some stakeholders commended INEC for taking the registration exercise to the ward level, which they said, had made more people to be interested in the registration.

    They complained of difficulty in using the card reader in the last elections and the need for more polling units in some communities that had only one.

    The traditional ruler of Ihim Autonomous Community, Eze Oliver Ohanwe, commended INEC for its efforts to ensure error-free and successful election.

    He urged INEC to ensure that all the wards were covered and that peoples’ votes really counted in 2019 elections.

     

  • INEC sues for sanity during 2019 elections

    INEC sues for sanity during 2019 elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has called on stakeholders to ensure good conduct and orderliness during the 2019 elections.

    Prof. Francis Ezeonu, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Imo, gave the advice on Saturday during a sensitization visit on voter registration with members of his team to Isiala Mbano Local Government area of Imo.

    He said that the days of ballot box snatching, falsification of results and harassment of electoral officers were gone as all results would be transmitted electronically as soon as counting of votes were over.

    Ezeonu warned stakeholders such as polling agents, local observers, voters and politicians to play the game according to the rules to ensure smooth conduct of the polls.

    He said that plans were underway by INEC to establish an Electoral Offences Commission with a tribunal to tackle all electoral offences and secure conviction.

    Ezeonu highlighted the benefits of the voter registration exercise and urged participants to ensure they carried the news to the grass roots for mass turn out of people.

    He assured that the card reader machines had been improved upon and would be successfully used in the coming elections without the anticipated problems.

    Read Also: INEC EFCC partnership will strengthen Nigeria’s democracy

    According to him, voters’ registration could be used as a means of confirming census figures as well as used by politicians for community development.

    Earlier, the Electoral Officer in Isiala Mbano Local Government, Mr Emeka Okike, gave a progress report of the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) and Permanent Voters Card (PVC) distribution in the local government area.

    He stressed the need for people to collect their PVCs to be able to vote during the forth coming elections.

    Okike noted that there had been improvement in the number of people that turned out for the registration since the commission’s policy of taking the registration to the ward level commenced.

    He said that of the 79, 935 PVCs registered in the LGA, 11, 595 were yet to be collected and frowned at peoples’ reluctance to collect their PVC.

    Ezeonu described the voter card as the most lethal weapon in modern day democracy.

    Some stakeholders commended INEC for taking the registration exercise to the ward level, which they said, had made more people to be interested in the registration.

    They complained of difficulty in using the card reader in the last elections and the need for more polling units in some communities that had only one.

    The traditional ruler of Ihim Autonomous Community, Eze Oliver Ohanwe, commended INEC for its efforts to ensure error-free and successful election.

    He urged INEC to ensure that all the wards were covered and that peoples’ votes really counted in 2019 elections.

    NAN

  • 371,444 PVCs uncollected in Ondo State – INEC

    371,444 PVCs uncollected in Ondo State – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) in Ondo State has said that 371,444 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) are yet to be collected in the state.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Rufus Akeju, said this in a telephone interview with our reporter in Akure on Friday.

    Akeju, however, said that 44,410 voters were captured during the April, 2017 Continuous Voter Registration in the state.

    He said that 199 people reported that their cards were stolen during the first phase of 2018 revision exercise while 561 people were cases of de-faced PVCs.

    The REC reiterated his readiness to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure free, fair and credible elections in the state in 2019.

    Read Also: INEC, EFCC partnership will strengthen Nigeria’s democracy

    He urged the residents to pick their PVCs at INEC offices in the 18 local government areas.

    Akeju said the CVR was ongoing and advised residents who just attained the age of 18 to register to enable them to vote in the coming elections.

    “We will do everything possible to ensure that 80 per cent of the uncollected PVCs were collected by their owners.

    Akeju was the immediate past Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner and resumed as Ondo REC on Jan. 25.