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Tag: Inec

  • INEC equips ad hoc staff with life jackets

    INEC equips ad hoc staff with life jackets

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday said more than 300 life jackets had been provided for ad hoc staff posted to the riverine communities in Epe for Saturday elections.

    Mr Okpighe Henry, the INEC Electoral Officer in Epe, Lagos State, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Henry said that the commission had also made provision for quality canoes and flying boats to convey the workers on election duties to the riverine areas.

    The electoral officer also said that adequate arrangements had also been made with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) for the transportation of INEC ad hoc staff and election materials by road.

    He said that the commission had perfected work on the area of lapses discovered during the March 28 elections.

    Henry assured people of Epe that INEC would ensure free, fair, credible and peaceful elections on Saturday.

    He lauded the efforts of stakeholders toward the successful conduct of the presidential and National Assembly elections in the area.

  • Policemen, INEC driver escape lynching in Warri

    An angry mob Friday almost lynched two policemen and a driver of an Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) van in Warri, who were alleged to have attempted diversion of election materials meant for Saturday’s exercise.

    The Nation gathered that the driver of the INEC, in company of the two mobile policemen, was driving out of the commission’s complex on Esisi Road in Warri when representatives of some political parties, who had been keeping vigil in from of the complex since Thursday night, suspected a foul play and stopped the vehicle from leaving the gates.

    Having stopped the vehicle, with registration number Presidency FG 714V01, the vigilant party representatives searched it and discovered bundles of incident forms and some result sheets concealed under the legs of one of the policemen.

    Although the Electoral Officer (EO) for Warri South, Fidelia Omoile, said the materials were not meant for Warri South and that it was being returned to Isoko South, where it belonged, other sources said a call to Isoko South proved Omoile’s claims wrong as party agents their said the INEC office there had all materials intact.

    Expressing sadness over the development, the All Progressive Congress (APC) House of Assembly candidate for Warri South 2 Constituency, Robinson Ariyo, who was among those keeping vigil in front of the INEC office said the development had confirmed fears that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was bent on rigging the elections.

    “The incident confirms our fear that PDP plan to rig these elections. The position of PDP has always been that card readers should not be used to enable them perfect their rigging strategies. They do not want to relent.

    ”These incident report forms, in thousands, would have gone out of this INEC office if not for the vigilance of my party members and other parties around here. The implication of the form is that if an electorate is unable to vote with the card reader, the incident report form is filled for such person.

    ”We have a photograph of the bundles that were smuggled out. The materials were not kept inside the rear compartment of the van but underneath the front seat and a police officer was trying to use his legs to push them in. Eternal vigilance is a price we pay for liberty, we are prepared to pay the price, when election is not free and fair, it is a negation to the idea of democracy,” he said.

    Responding to the development, the Electoral Officer for Warri South, Fidelia Omoile, said she stopped at Isoko on her way from Asaba adding that while offloading the materials in Warri, it was discovered the non-sensitive materials belong to Isoko South.

    ”When I got to Warri, I discovered that the materials are in my vehicle and I have to take them back to Isoko. The party agents saw the materials and said no problem; it is unfortunate that the people did not trust their representatives.

    ”It took the security men to calm them and for peace to reign, I have dropped the materials to enable my vehicle to leave for Asaba and give me more materials,” she said.

     

  • Elections: Edo Compol sues for peace

    The Commissioner of Police in Edo State has told Hon. Samson Osagie of the APC and Pharmacist Mathew Urhuonghide of PDP in the Edo South Senatorial poll suspended in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, last month by INEC, to prevail on their supporters to ensure that the remaining part of the election scheduled for Saturday, is conducted under a peaceful atmosphere.

    COMPOL Adegbuyi stated this when he invited the two major contestants to have an audience with security chiefs in Edo State.

    The meeting held at the office of the Commissioner of Police, Edo Police Command headquarters, Benin City, Friday.

    ” The reason why we assemble here is to synergise and put in place a conducive atmosphere for the successful conduct of the forthcoming election slated for 11th of April, 2015.

    ” This meeting becomes inevitable in view of the tension already generating in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.

    ” There is need to task both candidates, the APC senatorial candidate Rt. Hon. Samson Osagie, the PDP senatorial candidate Pharmacist Mathew Urhuoghide to advise all their teeming supporters that the remaining part of the electoral process be conducted under a peaceful atmosphere…. while security agents present would maintain law and other,” the police boss stressed.

    In their separate responses, Rt. Hon. Osagie and Urhoghide reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful election in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the Edo State.

    They however appealed to the police commissioner and other security chiefs present to ensure that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, sensitive material and personnel are closely monitored and protected before, during and after the elections.

    The senatorial hopefuls warned any person who may want to foment trouble during and after the polls to have a rethink as their political ambition or interest is not worth the live of any individual.

    It will be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, suspendend the election of March 28, 2015 in Orhionmwon Local Government Area.

    The senatorial election was however rescheduled to run with the State House of election.

    Present at the meeting included the Edo State Director, State Security Service, SSS, Immigration, Airforce, Army, NSCDC and FRSC.

  • Election: INEC caution Nigerians against false assurances

    Election: INEC caution Nigerians against false assurances

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has advised Nigerians to disregard false assurances that are contrary to the commission’s electoral rules and regulations.

    The advice is contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Kayode Idowu, on Friday in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Governorship and State Assemblies elections will hold on Saturday.

    The statement said that the commission would not allow the use of the Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs).

    It stated that the commission received a report that some political leaders were asking the public to disregard INEC’s resolve to use Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and Smart Card Readers (SCRs) for the poll.

    “A particular state governor in the North Central geo-political zone is reported to have assured voters in the state that they could come out to vote on Saturday with the TVC if they do not have the PVC.

    “And that INEC will not be allowed to insist on the use of SCRs for voter accreditation.

    “The public are strongly advised to disregard false assurances that contradict the regulations that INEC has outlined for the elections,’’ it stated.

    It reaffirmed that only voters with genuine PVCs should come out to the polling units on the election day, adding that guidelines issued on the use of SCRs for the Saturday elections would be strictly applied.

    “Any action infringing these guidelines would be an electoral offence, and security agents would be on hand to apprehend offenders,’’ the statement added.

    The statement lauded Nigerians for their peaceful conduct and exemplary behaviour, even in the face of minor challenges during the Presidential and National Assembly elections on March 28.

    It, however, said it was unfortunate that some leaders would misguide the public and thereby prepare ground for needless disruptions to the polling process on Saturday.

    “INEC hereby warns that any obstruction to the processes it has put in place for the elections by any person, no matter how highly placed will constitute an electoral offence punishable by law,’’ it stated.

    The statement also said the commission had assigned the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Kogi, Alhaji Hussaini Pai, to supervise the conduct of Saturday elections in Kano State.

    The deployment, the statement explained, followed the demise of the former REC of the state, Alhaji Munkaila Abdullahi.

    The statement recalled that before his posting as Kogi REC, Pai was the Ekiti State REC, who conducted the Governorship Election of June 21, 2014.

    “In his absence, the REC for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Prof. Jacob Jatau, will supervise the Saturday conduct of the State Assembly election in Kogi,’’ the statement added.

  • INEC insists on PVCs, Card Readers for polls

    INEC insists on PVCs, Card Readers for polls

    THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has insisted that only voters with genuine Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) should come out to the polling units tomorrow.

    Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman Kayode Idowu, who said this in a statement yesterday, added that the guidelines on the use of Smart Card Readers (SCRs) for the elections would be strictly applied.

    Idowu confirmed that the commission received reports that some politicians were asking people to disregard earlier guidelines indicating that PVCs and SCRs would be used for the Governorship and State Assembly elections.

    He warned that security agents would be apprehend troublemakers and offenders.

    The statement also reads: “A particular state governor in the Northcentral is reported to have assured voters that they could come out to vote on election day with Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs), if they do not have the PVCs, and that INEC will not be allowed to insist on the use of SCRs for voter accreditation.

     ”The public is strongly advised to disregard false assurances that contradict the regulations INEC has outlined for the Governorship and State Assembly elections.

    “The commission reaffirms that only voters with genuine PVCs should come out to the polling units on election day, and that guidelines on the use of SCRs for the April 11 elections will be strictly applied. Any action infringing these guidelines will be an electoral offence, and security agents will be apprehend offenders.

     The commission hailed voters for their peaceful conduct and exemplary resilience in the face of minor challenges,  on March 28.

    “It considers it unfortunate that some leaders would misguide the public and prepare the ground for needless disruptions to the polling process on April 11.

    “INEC warns that any obstruction to the processes put in place for the elections by any person, no matter how highly placed, will constitute an electoral offence punishable in law.”

  • INEC , security chiefs under pressure from First Lady, Amaechi alleges

    INEC , security chiefs under pressure from First Lady, Amaechi alleges

    Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi yesterday accused the First Lady, Dame Patience, of putting officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security chiefs under pressure.

    He said the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nyesom Wike, would not get the immunity he was clamouring for.

    Amaechi spoke in Port Harcourt at the Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre, at an interactive session with stakeholders.

    The governor said: “What happened on March 28 may or may not repeat itself on April 11. When I was campaigning, I said it would not repeat itself, but as at this morning (yesterday), there is enormous pressure on the security chiefs and INEC by the wife of the President. I hope they will not repeat the hijacking of results.

    “In most of the councils, if not all, there were no result sheets. I hope they will bring the result sheets this time. Last time, they collected the result sheets at the Collation centres. This time, I hope they will not do that.

    “I hope the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dame Gesila Khan, will know that her responsibility is not to allow anybody steal result sheets.

    “We do not want anybody to force a candidate on us. We do not want Wike to be made governor so that they can share our resources. What we want is to be allowed to vote and our votes must count. Let the wife of the President remain in her house and not force a candidate on us. The security chiefs, in my meetings with them, assured us that votes would count. I hope they would stick to that.

    “The decision of APC is  power rotation. I have governed for eight years as an Ikwerre man, and let power rotate. Let power be allowed to move around. Let not one person deprive us of our rights.

    “We have chosen a candidate from Opobo (Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside). I do not want to know whether he is from riverine or upland, all I know is that we have chosen a candidate from Opobo, that has what it takes to govern this state and govern it well, if not better than me. If you say I have done well, it is important you vote for him on April 11.”

  • Guber elections: Jega appeals for calm in Benue

    Guber elections: Jega appeals for calm in Benue

    INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has appealed to politicians to refrain from acts capable of truncating the electoral process by encouraging peaceful conduct of elections on April 11.

    Jega, who made the appeal on Thursday in Makurdi during a meeting of stakeholders convened by INEC, said the scale of violence that was recorded in Benue during the Presidential and National Assembly polls was regrettable.

    “The scale of destruction witnessed in Benue during the March 28 Presidential and National Assembly elections was incomparable with anything in any part of the country.

    “The commission lost over 200 card readers and two of our offices were burnt down with one staff member.”

    He said the stakeholders’ meeting was necessary to address electoral malpractices and issues capable of causing violence.

    Jega expressed regret over the violence and said the commission had achieved milestones in the conduct of credible elections in the country.

    He called on politicians to support the commission to improve its performance in future elections.

    “It is our desire to have better polls in April 11; we therefore, appeal for your cooperation and calm during the elections.”

    He assured the state that the 200 card readers that were destroyed would be replaced and urged politicians to ensure the safety of INEC officials and materials during the elections.

    He warned against spilling of innocent blood during elections and charged the politicians to engage in good conduct.

    Also, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of operations, Mr. Sotonye Wakama, called on the electorate to report all cases of electoral malpractice to the security agencies.

    The police chief also warned them against taking the laws into their hands.

    He also called on them to use smart phones to document electoral malpractice.

    A cross section of politicians expressed dismay over the unbecoming attitude of contestants who insisted on winning elections at all costs.

    They called on the security agencies and INEC officials to be neutral in the discharge of their duties and use sanctions against erring staff.

    Two incumbent senators, who were returned in the National Assembly election, Barnabas Gemade and George Akume, appealed to INEC to remain steadfast in declaring credible results.

    They also appealed to security agencies to apply the law on all regardless of positions.

    The PDP Chairman in the state, Mr Emmanuel Agbo, called on INEC to re-consider the posting of the Resident Electoral Officer, Prof Istifinus Dafwang.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was attended by politicians, local and international observers, INEC officials, traditional rulers and academicians.

     

  • Lecturers storm INEC over unpaid allowances

    Lecturers storm INEC over unpaid allowances

    Academic staff in the University of Calabar (UNICAL) that served as returning officers in the May 28 Presidential and National Assembly elections Thursday, stormed the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Calabar to protest the non-payment of their allowances.

    They threatened to boycott Saturday’s Governorship and House of Assembly elections.

    One of the protesting lecturers told journalists that they embarked on the action to protest the ill-treatment meted out on them by the commission.

    He disclosed that what they have been receiving in previous elections was higher than what the commission offered them in this year’s elections, though he declined to disclose the figure.

    According to him, ‘they (INEC) slashed our honorarium without explanations, and could not even pay what they claim they were going to pay us.’

    Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Sylvester Ezeani condemned the protests by the lecturers describing their action as ‘unfortunate.’

    He said such action was expected of students and not academic staff, adding that efforts will be made to pay them.

  • April 11 polls: IGP orders restriction of vehicular movement

    April 11 polls: IGP orders restriction of vehicular movement

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, has ordered restriction of vehicular movement in the 36 states, from 8a.m. to 5p.m. for the governorship and House of Assembly elections on Saturday.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, on Thursday in Abuja.

    The statement explained that the measure was to ensure safety and security during the polls.

    “There is no restriction of vehicular movement in the Federal Capital Territory as there is no election taking place there on the said date,’’ the statement said.

    It added that the restriction excluded “vehicles on essential duty such as Fire Service, ambulances and vehicles used by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and law enforcement/security agencies.’’

    The statement assured that adequate security logistics and manpower had been strategically deployed to achieve conducive atmosphere for the polls.

    It said that policemen on election duty had been properly briefed on their roles as stipulated in the Electoral Act.

    “They are expected to be professional, non-partisan, civil but firm in their approach and relation to the public.’’

    It called on the citizens to remain vigilant and report all suspicious movements or dealings to appropriate police authority.

  • 10,000 youths protest against INEC, PDP in Anambra

    10,000 youths protest against INEC, PDP in Anambra

    Members of eight youth groups in Anambra State yesterday protested the alleged rigging by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in connivance with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), during the March 28 elections.

    They marched on the grave of the Biafran warlord, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, in Nnewi to express their grievances.

    The youth said anybody who tries to rig on Saturday will incur their wrath.

    They also protested at Agulu, former Governor Peter Obi’s community; Prince Arthur Eze’s Ukpor community and Chief Ifeanyi Ubah’s community, who they alleged were the mastermind of the electoral fraud.

    The over 10,000 youths belong to groups, such as Igbo Gadi Mma, United Igbo People’s Congress, Anambra Youth Forum, Anambra Youth For Peace, Anambra Traders Club, Igbo Youth Initiative, Igbo Students Forum and Good Governance Progressive Forum.

    Their leaders are Comrades Sylvester Emeka, Uche Madugadi, Emmanuel Oliseh, Emeka Okolo, Alloy Obi, Ositadinma Echefuna, Okechukwu Okonkwo and Kingsley John.

    They said: “Igbo youths demand that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) and field returning officers be redeployed by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega. They should  not conduct the governorship and house of assembly elections.

    “We are ready to protect our people’s votes and areas from political criminals and thieves, who have no regard for the welfare of Ndi Anambra.

    “We warn students, motor park touts and cultists used as thugs by the PDP as instruments of election rigging to desist.

    “The house of assembly election must be free and fair. Let the people’s wish and votes count. We want a peaceful Anambra State for the sake of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.”