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Tag: Inec

  • Stakeholders protest N125b spent on 2015 polls

    Stakeholders protest N125b spent on 2015 polls

    Election stakeholders who gathered in Abuja on Thursday have condemned the N125 allegedly spent by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) on the recently concluded 2015 general polls.

    They also called for a reduction in the cost of conducting election in the country henceforth due to the economic meltdown that the country is experiencing.

    Speaking at a public presentation of the Transition Monitoring Group, TMG final report on the 2015 election, Samson Itodo, the head of Research, Policy and Advocacy  of the Youth Initiative for advocacy growth and advancement, YIAGA who said although the INEC intends to make the report on the election funding public next week, election stakeholders are deeply concerned about the huge fund expended.

    “We all know that election is a very expensive activity especially in a country like Nigeria that has a very high electoral demography and a vast population, however there is a need for us as a nation to cut down the cost of running elections”

    “Nigeria as a country cannot continue spending that much on election, INEC have to devise means to cut down the cost

    “The country cannot be procuring electoral equipments every time the country have to embark on election, it is frivolous

    “INEC  spent huge amount of money for the recruitment of ad-hoc staffs for the election, that is quite understandable, I think Nigerians too should be able to make some sacrifices, we need to have volunteers that will assist INEC during elections, this will go a long way in cutting the cost of election in the country” he said.

    He also advised President Muhammadu Buhari to consider the appointment of the next INEC Chairman as a matter of great importance.

    “If there is anything that the President should be greatly concerned about at the moment, it is the appointment of a very credible person to head the INEC

    “Buhari should  not bring another character like Iwu or any person that will come and tarnish the good image that the outgoing Chairman, Attahiru Jega has laboured to provide, Nigerians need a person with high integrity to pilot the affairs of INEC in years to come,” he added.

    The deputy country director of the Mac Arthur Foundation, Oladayo Olaide who also spoke at the session expressed great concern about the future of elections in the country

    The TMG Chairman, Ibrahim Zikirullahi who presented the report advised INEC to improve on the technical aspects of its activities in future elections.

  • Jega, six commissioners bow out next week

    Jega, six commissioners bow out next week

    The tenure of Professor Attahiru Jega as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will end next Tuesday.

    According to INEC Bulletin, Jega will leave office with six other national commissioners who will also have served out their five year term.

    Jega and the commissioners were inaugurated by former President Goodluck E. Jonathan on 30th June 2010.

    The commissioners affected are: Col. M.K. Hammanga (Rtd), Adamawa state, (North East); Dr Ishmael Jikiri Igbani, Rivers state, (South South); Prof. Lai Olurode, Osun state, (South West); Dame Gladys Nne Nwafor, Abia state, (South East); Mrs Thelma Amata Iremiren, Delta state, (South South); and Engr. Dr. Nuru A. Yakubu,  Yobe state, (North East).

    Four other National Commissioners are to leave the Commission in July and August this year.

    They are: Dr. Abdulkadir S. Oniyangi,  Kwara state, (North Central), whose tenure will expire on 21st July 2015; Mrs Amina Bala Zakari, Jigawa state, (North West); whose tenure will also expire on 21st July 2015; Dr Chris O. Iyimoga, Nasarawa state, (North Central); whose tenure will expire on 11th August 2015; and Amb. (Dr.) Mohammed Ahmad Wali, Sokoto state, (North West) whose tenure will also expire on 11th August 2015.

    The bulletin has however said stated that activities at the commission would not in anyway be affected by the  exit of Jega and the other national commissioners.

    It stated:  “But  even  as  the Commission is being depleted, following the progressive expiration of the tenures of National Commissioners, its (INEC’s) work will continue apace and uninterrupted because it can always form a quorum.

    Citing Section 159 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) which states that meetings of the commission can be chaired by another person.

    The section states: (1.) The quorum for a meeting of any of the bodies established by section 153 of this Constitution shall be not less than one-third of the total number of members of that body at the date of the meeting.

    (2.) A member of such a body shall be entitled to one vote, and a decision of the meeting may be taken and any act or thing may be done in the name of that body by a majority of the members present at the meeting.

    (3.) Whenever such body is assembled for a meeting, the Chairman or other person presiding shall, in all matters in which a decision is taken by vote (by whatever name such vote may be called) have a casting as well as a deliberative vote.

    (4.) Subject to its rules of procedure, any such body may act or take part in any decision notwithstanding any vacancy in its membership or the absence of any member.”

    In the meantime, the tenures of sixteen Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) have expired and they have left the Commission last week. A gala night was held in their honour last week Thursday at the Le Meridien Hotel, Uyo, Akwa Ibom. They are: Ahmad Makama, Bauchi state; Haliru A. Tambuwal, Sokoto state; Abdullahi Umar Danyaya, Niger state; Abubakar U.G. Wara, Kebbi state; Mr. Mike Igini, Delta state; Prof. Selina Omagha Oko, Ebonyi state; Hussaini Ahmed Mahuta, Katsina state; Dr. A.L. Ogunmola, Oyo state; Alh. Ibrahim Zarewa, Kano state; Prof. Tukur Sa’ad, Adamawa state; Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo, Kogi state; Kassim Gana Gaidam, Yobe state; Mr. Timothy Ibitoye, Osun state; Amb. Dr. Rufus Akeju, Lagos state;Prof. C.E. Onukaogu, Abia state; and Ibrahim Bagobiri Marafa, Zamfara state

  • Jega calls for deployment of election risk management tools

    Jega calls for deployment of election risk management tools

    Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega has called for the introduction of the Election Risk Management (ERM) in the election management of African countries.

    This followed the successfully deployment of ERM tool for the 2015 general elections in Nigeria.

    Jega, according to the Commission’s in house Daily Bulletin made the call on Tuesday at a workshop on ERM post-elections analysis organized in collaboration with International IDEA and African Union, held at INEC’s Electoral Institute Abuja.

    He said:  “the tool has enabled us to do electoral risk mapping to generate data and do analysis to support a range of activities targeted at either mitigating risks or taking proactive measures in ensuring the conduct of free, fair, credible and especially peaceful elections.”

    The INEC outgoing Chairman also assured of the Commission’s willingness “to share experiences and willingness to participate in whatever role it can, in order to ensure utilization of its objective in expanding the organization of the tool in the African continent”.

    Jega also commended the Embassy of the Netherlands, the African Union and International IDEA for their support towards deployment of the tool and also the successful conduct of the 2015 general elections.

    He also charged participants at the workshop to contribute ideas in terms of how to continually improve the framework and the methodology of preventing conflicts and violence in elections.

    Earlier in his remarks, the International IDEA Africa Programme representative, Prof. Adebayo Olukoshi, paid tribute to the INEC Chairman for his exemplary leadership qualities and for “raising the face of the country.”

    He urged that the Nigerian experience be used as a template to share with other African countries.

    On his part, the Representative of the Embassy of the Netherlands, Maurice Paulson, described the 2015 general elections as peaceful and commended the INEC Chairman for the success of the elections.

    He emphasized the role of the deployment of the ERM tool in mitigating violence in the 2015 general elections, adding that his country will encourage its deployment in other African countries.

     

  • INEC to clear backlog of promotions, says Jega

    •‘Commission’s reforms must be sustained’

    Independent National Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega has promised to clear accumulated promotions before his tenure ends this month.

    After serving out a five-year term, the INEC boss vowed not to continue in the post, even if he is offered a second term.

    Jega, who spoke yesterday in a statement issued by the commission in Abuja after a retreat for Administrative Secretaries and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), ruled out the prospect of any “automatic promotion”.

    The INEC chairman, in what seemed like a valedictory message, warned against reverting the gains of the commission.

    The idea of appointing returning officers outside the commission, he said, must be sustained against what was obtained in the past, where Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and Electoral Officers (EOs) returned election results.

    Jega explained that the current process has brought about “remarkable improvement”, arguing that the stress on RECs and EOs during elections was too much to accommodate the additional task of announcing the outcome of elections.

    He said: “The strain is too much. They are not superhuman and they will make mistakes.”

    The INEC boss said states, which did not create or activate Registration Area Centres (RACs) during the last general elections, would be directed to account for their inability.

    He expressed delight that most of the returning officers appointed by the commission in the 2011 and 2015 general elections were above board.

    Jega added that the retreat made suggestions, which when implemented by the next commission, would remarkably improve the electoral process.

  • INEC to clear promotion backlog – Jega

    INEC to clear promotion backlog – Jega

    The Chairman, Independent National Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega has promised to clear the bag log of all promotions before the expiration of his tenure at the end of this month.

    Jega tenure expires at the end of June, after serving out a five year term. The INEC boss has vowed not to continue in the post even if offered a second term.

    Jega who spoke at a recent retreat for Administrative Secretaries and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), however ruled out the prospect of any “automatic promotion.”

    In what seems like a valedictory message, Jega warned against reverting the gains of the commission, stressing that the idea of appointing returning officers outside the commission must be sustained against what was obtained in the past where Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and Electoral Officers (E.O.s) returned election outcomes.

    The process he explained has brought about “remarkable improvement in the process.”

    He argued that the stress on RECs and E.O.s during elections was too much, to accommodate the additional task of announcing the outcome of elections.

    According to him; “The strain is too much. They are not superhuman and they will make mistakes.”

    Professor Jega disclosed that states which did not create or activate Registration Area Centres (RACs) during the last general elections will be directed to account for their inability.

    He expressed delight that most of the Returning Officers appointed by the Commission in the 2011 and 2015 general elections were above board.

    He further observed that the retreat made a number of brilliant suggestions, which when taken into action by the next Commission, would remarkably improve the electoral process.

  • INEC didn’t change directive on card reader – Jega

    INEC didn’t change directive on card reader – Jega

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, on Thursday said the commission did not change its directive on the use of card reader for the governorship and state houses of assembly elections.

    Jega, who spoke during a post 2015 general election assessment retreat for resident electoral commissioners in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, said it was only during the presidential election that the commission instructed all the states that wherever there was evident of  card readers’ failure they should revert to manual accreditation.

    The theme of the retreat was: “2015 General Elections: Lessons and Way forward.”

    The INEC chairman, who said no elections had ever been perfect, insisted that the last elections were highly successful.

    Jega said: “If you recall there was at least an interval of two weeks between the presidential and governor elections, we studied everything that was a problem with the card readers within those two weeks and rectified them.

    “We were absolutely sure that for the governorship election, card readers would not be a problem. That was why for the governorship election we instructed that the card readers must be used.

    “And so, if there is evidence of any place where they just put aside the card readers and use manual accreditation, that election can be examined. I am sure the tribunal will look at the evidence clearly as to what happened.

    “As far as I know, the commission did not change that directive, so card readers must be used. And if there were places where card readers were not used for the governorship election, then people were entitled to produce evidence for that so that the commission could take necessary actions.”

     

  • Why INEC must start planning for 2019 polls now, by Jega

    Why INEC must start planning for 2019 polls now, by Jega

    INDEPENDENT National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega yesterday said the commission must begin to consider reforms that will help improve the 2019 general elections.

    Prof. Jega, who spoke in Abuja at the post-2015 general elections’ retreat organised for electoral officers, said despite the global praise that greeted the elections, there was still room for improvement.

    He stressed that the success recorded was as a result of the sacrifices and energy put into improving on the 2011 general elections.

    The INEC boss said officers should take time to review the performance of the commission in the last elections and point out areas where the commission did not do well with a view to improving on such areas.

    Jega argued that for the country to continue to develop; it needs credible and good elections.

    He said: “Well-conducted elections will result in the election of good people, which can drive the process of governance very well and deliver good governance for our people. Good governance in terms of satisfying the need and aspirations of our people through the governance process.

    “So, we must continue to do our best to improve the electoral process and we cannot rest on our oars in addressing all the challenges associated with elections.”

    The INEC boss added that the success of the last general elections was as a result of the efforts and measures took by INEC’s members of staff to correct on mistakes of the 2011 elections.

    He said in spite of the accolades INEC got on the 2015 general elections, it was time to begin to reflect on areas of further reforms.

    Prof. Jega said: “Let us not waste time discussing what we did right. What we did right was good and it has helped us to have a good election in 2011 and 2015, but let us focus on what we did wrong.

    “What were those things that we shouldn’t have done, which you have observed as field officers that we did which we need to correct or improve on as we move towards the future?’’

    He was, however, full of praises for the electoral officers for their roles in the last elections, which, according to him, made the elections a success.

    He said: “We have worked very hard, tirelessly under very difficult circumstances to get this outcome.

    “Obviously, we recognise that in spite of our best effort, we have not been able to create the best and the excellent environment under

    which you are to conduct your jobs.

    “In spite of the constraint and the challenges, you have all done your best and your best this time around has been recognised as being good enough.”

    He, therefore, urged participants at the retreat to discuss measures needed to be taken to improve the electoral process as well as their welfare.

    International Foundation for Elections Systems’ (IFES) Country Director, Mr. Shalva Kipshidze, in his remark at the retreat, congratulated the commission for the successful conduct of the last general elections.

    Kipshidze said IFES was happy to support INEC’s effort to review the conduct of the elections to build on the good practices and lessons learnt as Nigeria prepare for 2019 general elections.

  • Jega urges INEC to sustain reform for improved electoral process

    Jega urges INEC to sustain reform for improved electoral process

    Following the successful conduct of the 2015 general elections, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega Monday said it’s time for the commission to begin to consider reforms that will help improve electoral process.

    Jega who spoke in Abuja at a post 2015 general election retreat organized for electoral officers said despite the global commendation and applause that greeted the recent election, there is still room for improvement.

    He stressed that the success recorded was as a result of the sacrifice and energy put in to improve on the 2011 general elections.

    Consequently, the INEC boss said that officers should take time to review the performance of the commission in the last elections, and point out  areas where the commission has not done well with a view to improve on such areas in future elections.

    INEC boss argued that for the country to continue to develop; it needs credible and good elections.

    He said: “Well conducted elections will result in the election of good people which can drive the process of governance very well and deliver good governance for our people.

    “Good governance in terms of satisfying the need and aspirations of our people through the governance process.

    “So we must continue to do our best to improve election the electoral process and we cannot rest on our oars in addressing all the challenges associated with elections,’’ Jega said.

    Jega also added that the success of the 2015 general elections was as a result of the efforts and measure took by INEC staff to work on mistakes of the 2011 elections.

    He said in spite of the accolades INEC got on 2015 general elections, it was time to begin to reflect on areas of further reforms need.

    “Let us not waste time discussing what we did right.

    “What we did right was good and it has helped us to have a good election in 2011 and 2015 but let us focus on what we did wrong.

    “What were those things that we shouldn’t have done which you have observed as field officers that we did which we need to correct or improve on as we move towards the future,’’ he said.

    Jega was however full of praises for the electoral officers for their roles in the 2015 elections, which according to him made the elections a success.

    He said, “We have worked very hard, tirelessly under very difficult circumstances to get this outcome.

    “Obviously, we recognise that in spite of our best effort, we have not been able to create the best and the excellent environment under which you are to conduct your jobs.

    “ In spite of the constraint, and the challenges, you  have all done your best and your best this time around has been recognised as being good enough.”

    He therefore urged participants at the retreat to discuss on measures to improve the electoral process as well their welfare.

    Mr. Shalva Kipshidze, the IFES Country Director in his remark congratulated the Commission for the successful conduct of the 2015 elections.

    Kipshidze said that IFES was happy to support INEC’s effort to review the conduct of the 2015 elections as to build on the good practices and lessons learnt as Nigeria prepare for 2019 general elections.

  • INEC to revalidate 2015 election report

    INEC to revalidate 2015 election report

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will on June  15 revalidate the 2015 Election Report.

     The validation, according to the commission’s daily bulletin, said the exercise would be a prelude to the Report’s printing and presentation on June 29.

     The INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, whose tenure expires this month had on April 22 inaugurated a committee headed by Dr. Chris O. Iyimoga to author the 2015 Election Report.

    Meanwhile, the commission has scheduled a three-day post-election review meeting/retreat for Electoral Officers (E.O.s), Administrative Secretaries and Resident Electoral Commissioners  (RECs).

    According to a statement signed by the Director of Commission’s Secretariat, I.A. Gali, the three-day retreat will start with a meeting with Electoral Officers on Monday at NAF Conference Hall, Kado District, Abuja.

    The meeting/retreat for Administrative Secretaries and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), will hold on Wednesday and Thursday at the Le Meridien Hotel, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

  • Tribunal denies Umahi’s joint materials inspection request

    Tribunal denies Umahi’s joint materials inspection request

    The governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State Thursday rejected a motion for joint inspection of electoral materials used to conduct the 2015 gubernatorial election in the state brought by the counsel to Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi.

    The tribunal however ordered separate inspection of electoral materials by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Chief Dave Umahi who was declared winner in the April 11 election and his Labour Party counterpart, Chief Edward Nkwegu, their counsel or any forensic expert retained by them to inspect, scan and take copies of electoral materials used in the election.

    This followed the opposition of joint inspection of the materials by counsel to Chief Nkwegu, Chuma Ajaegbu as prayed by the counsel to Chief Dave Umahi, Roy Umahi who requested for the joint inspection of the electoral materials by the two parties.

    Ajaegbu said that he was not opposed to the motion brought before the tribunal by Roy Umahi for the inspection of the materials as it is his right to do so.

    He, however, contended that allowing both parties to inspect the materials jointly will make the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to frustrate the exercise.

    ‘’We are not opposed to the granting of all the orders to inspect electoral materials used in the governorship election as was granted to us to the first petitioner, it is his entitlement but we are worried about the request for joint inspection.

    ‘’If there is an order for joint inspection, once it is made, the INEC through which that order is directed to can frustrate us once one of the parties is not present and any party can make the mater worst by not showing up but if there are separate orders made, INEC administratively can harmonize things and give us a date to come for the inspection so that if one party does not come or any of the parties are not present the inspection can go on,’’ he said.

    On his part, Roy Umahi noted that all he wanted is for the granting of his prayer to inspect the electoral materials as done to his counterpart, Ajaegbu, even though the tribunal did not make it jointly as he requested.

    In her ruling, the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Theresa Ikoje ordered INEC to conduct separate inspection of the materials used in the governorship election.

    Justice Ikoje urged INEC to harmonize things to ensure success of the exercise and reminded the two parties to be time conscious.

     

    He noted that forty one days has already been spent on the petition remaining only 139 days for the tribunal to conclude sitting on the petition brought before it.