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Tag: Inec

  • Thugs snatch ballot box at Dankwambo’s polling unit

    Thugs suspected to be working for the ruling People Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe state Saturday snatched one of the ballot boxes at Shehu Manzo 005 polling unit in Gombe metropolis where Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo’s casted his vote following apparent indication of President Jonathan’s failure at the unit.

    It was gathered that the thugs were aided by armed policemen men on patrol in the polling unit area after observing from the tune of the counting that the result may not favour PDP’s presidential candidate.

    Before then, votes for the Senate and House of representatives were already counted and the All progressive Congress (APC) candidates won both.

    Nasiru Shehu Ali Sidi Manzo, an eye witness said they noticed thugs patrolling the area and reported to policemen on patrol that thugs were disrupting the peaceful conduct of voting at the polling unit, but were ignored by the police.

    “We are aware of plans to destabilise the smooth conduct of the voting at this polling unit because APC is going to win but we ignored the rumour.

    “So, on sighting the thugs carrying all sorts of weapons, voters started running away but that did not deter us. Some people remain and chase them away.

    “After the voting when counting started and APC was leading, suddenly the policemen tear-gassed the area and forced the electoral officials into their vehicle,” said Manzo, APC’s agent at the polling unit.

    He said APC scored 303 votes, while PDP 88 and three invalid votes were recorded for the Gombe/Funakaye/Kwami constituency Federal House of Representative election.

    He said APC recorded 394 votes against PDP’s 92 with 2 invalids were recorded in the Gombe North Senatorial District election.

    He said the thugs assisted by the police came when counting of the votes for the presidential election started at the polling unit and snatched the box.

    When contacted the police spokesman DSP Fwaje Atajiri, dismissed the allegation saying that it was the work of mischief makers who only wanted to cause trouble.

    The Gombe state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barrister Kashim Gaidam said they were investigating the case and will address the press after their investigation.

  • APC condemns election violence in Gombe, Rivers

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the violence perpetrated against its members in Gombe and Rivers State during Saturday’s elections, saying violence has no place in any democracy.

    In a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party in particular condemned the collusion between INEC and the PDP, aided by the security in Rivers, saying that what transpired in the state is nothing but a travesty of elections.

    ”INEC practically handed over the elections to the PDP in Rivers, depriving APC strongholds of men and material. In Okrika, materials arrived and were taken to the home of the State Secretary for PDP Ibibia Walter, while all units in Ahoada East and Omuma LGAs do not have result sheets. To worsen matters, PDP thugs unleashed mayhem on APC voters, killing one member in Tai Local Government and harassing a serving Commissioner.

    ”Simply put, there was an orchestrated, massive disenfranchisement in APC strongholds,” it said.

    APC also condemned the killing of eight of the party’s members, one of them a serving member of the House of Assembly, in Gombe State on Saturday, saying it was aimed at intimidating its members and preventing them from coming out to vote.

    The party also said there is a plan to rob former Governor Danjuma Gombe of victory in his senatorial district, as the military commander and the police commissioner in the state are trying to orchestrate a crisis so they can arrest the former Governor and put him away.

    It therefore called for an end to the violence, harassment and intimidation of its members in the state.

  • Gun wielding thugs snatch ballot boxes in Ebonyi

    Gun wielding thugs have evaded some polling booths at Nwakpu market square in Onunwakpu Ikwo LGA carting away electoral materials.

    The PDP Deputy guber candidate, Kelechi Igwe is from the ward.

    Our reporter who was in a convoy of journalists monitoring the election witnessed the incident.

    The hoodlums wielding AK 47 riffles emerged from the bush and shot into the air to scare voters and officials away before snatching the materials.

    No police patrol vans were seen in the area for long kilometres of the road fueling anxiety that the hoodlums may perpetrate same action at other polling units along the road.

    Similar incidents were witnessed at Nsokara in Ezza South LGA.

    An eyewitness told our reporter that hoodlums shot into the air scaring voters.

    Electoral officials were said not to be keen on continuing with the exercise because of the exercise.

    The member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Constituency, Tob Okwuru said the attacks were perpetrated by the PDP.

    Lt Col Felix O Alaita in charge of Nkwagu Military Containment of the Nigerian Army said he has mobilised to the area and normalcy has returned.
     

  • INEC extends voting till Sunday

    INEC extends voting till Sunday

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended voting during the Presidential and National Elections to Sunday in problem areas
    It directed all Resident Electoral Commissioners in the country to conduct election on
    Sunday in areas where there were hitches.
    It said it has also relocated all the contents on its website to another site following hacking by some elements.
    It however said it could not still exactly say what went wrong in Otuoke, Bayelsa State which led to the delay in the accreditation of President Goodluck Jonathan and First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan.
    The Chairman of INEC Committee on Information and Voters Education, Mr. Chris Iyimoga, who addressed the press at the Media Centre of the National Collation Centre in Abuja, said with some hitches in some parts of the country, there was no way the Presidential and National Assembly Elections could be concluded today (Saturday) .
    He said: “Each REC has been informed to conduct election on Sunday where there are hitches with accreditation or voting. I cannot say exactly the number of states affected but the problems are not in all the states.”
    Other National Commissioners  at the briefing were Ishmael Igbani; Muhammadu Wali; Engr. Nuru Yakubu; and Gladys Nwafor.
    On his part, National Commissioner Igbani said: “No one can really say what went wrong in Otuoke but the machine or the card readers could not capture the fingerprints of the President and the First Lady. Where such a situation, we had to use manual system.”
    On the hacking of INEC website, Commissioner Nuru Yakubu said: “We have lifted the contents on our website and relocated to other site.”

  • Jonathan to Nigerians: Be patient with INEC

    Jonathan to Nigerians: Be patient with INEC

    I’ve not spoken to Buhari – President

    President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians to be patient with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should there be hitches during the polls.

    He spoke in his hometown Otuoke after the card readers failed to verify his Permanent Voter’s Card and that of his wife, Patience.

    Jonathan said he was yet to call his major challenger, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, but that he would do so soon.

    Addressing reporters after leaving Unit 39 in Ogbia Ward 13, the President said since the use of card readers was new, hitches is inevitable.

    He said: “There may be hitches, no doubt about that, because this is the first time we’re using this technology of Permanent Voters Card and Card Readers.

    “I just spoke with INEC chairman, and I wanted to know what is happening across the country.

    “President Jonathan is just one voter. So even if we have problem with my own card, as long as nationally, the process is going on well, definitely they will sort out my own. I can’t be a ghost voter, everybody knows me.”

    Asked if he was concerned after not being accredited, Jonathan said he was calm.

    “I’m not worried, no, no,” he said.

    Asked what could happen if the election is inconclusive, he said: “There may be a delay, but I cannot speak for INEC.

    “But my interest is that we conduct credible elections, peaceful elections. We’re totally committed to that.

    “And I believe that no matter the hitches we might experience in some places – I received information that there are some states that voters cards are not there, like Jigawa, I think there are about seven federal constituencies that election may be delayed, becuase for the House of Reps, no voters cards.

    “I’ve also gotten some reports from Edo, Esan West or so, affecting the House of Reps, but not the general elections.

    “In my own polling unit, some of the cards are going through, but my own and that of my wife, we have some problems. But they’re sorting them out.

    “My conviction is that the elections will go on smoothly. If I can endure – you can see me sweating, then I plead with all Nigerians to be patient.

    “No matter the pains we take, as long as we as a nation can conduct free and fair elections that the world will accept, that is what we should all think about, not the temporary pains individuals may pass through.

    “Nigerian election is one the whole world is interested in. Some heads of government have spoken to me, wishing us well.

    “President Obama even addressed his media about the Nigerian elections. I got a letter a letter from Prime Minister David Cameron encouraging the country to go on with peaceful elections.

    “I spoke with the President of Ghana; of course Ouattara of Court D’Ivoire, Jacob Zuma of South Africa, Botswana President, that of Sierra Leone and a number of them, everybody calling to wish our country well.

    “Any sacrifice is worth making. I encourage Nigerians to be patient with INEC.

    “If you have Card Reader problem please don’t go riotious, don’t instigate crisis. Wait patiently.

    “Those who their cards go through should go through the process. Everybody will vote because there are ad hoc arrangements where if a card reader has some issues and it can be verified that you’re not a fake person, I believe you will be allowed to vote.”

    On reports about soldiers being overzealous in some places by preventing voters to go to their units, the President said: “What you’re telling me may not be actually correct. You know that there are guidelines about movement.

    “We normally close our international borders two days to the election because of infiltration of miscreants who can be brought from neighboring countries to disrupt elections.

    “Within the country, from 12midnight Friday, movement is supposed to be highly restricted. It’s only people like you that have clear cards that can move. For ordinary people, the movement is highly restricted.

    “So, people should not just come up with spurious statements. Why were they not near their polling stations as at yesterday? I have to verify the claims. I can’t make a valid statement now until I get clearance from the army. The commander of the JTF is even around.”

    On whether he has spoken to Buhari, he said: “We’ve not spoken. Maybe I’ll call him after this time.”

     

     

  • INEC strategizes on election in Borno State

    INEC strategizes on election in Borno State

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Borno State Samuel Madaki has said that the commission is ready to conduct the Presidential Election in the state.

    Briefing journalists in Maiduguri on the level of preparation for the election in the state, Mr. Madaki informed that the state has been divided into high risk areas; relatively safe areas; and safe enough.

    According to him, 12 LGAs are in the high risk category, 10 in relatively safe areas and 5 for safe enough areas.

    He disclosed that a total of over 1.8 million registered voters are expected to cast their votes on the Saturday election, adding that the number of ballot papers received is based on the projection of the total number of registered voters in the state.

    Mr. Madaki however regretted that about 18,000 unprinted PVC are still being awaited from the commission’s headquarters.

    He said the commission in the state has engaged a total of over 25,000 ad hoc staff for the election, stressing that the commission is working hand in hand with security agencies to ensure the safety of its stall in the field.

  • Expect results of Polls In 48 hours – Jega

    Expect results of Polls In 48 hours – Jega

    Going by the assurance from the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, results of the presidential and National assembly elections will be declared within 48 hours.

    Jega who disclosed this Friday in Abuja during a joint press conference alongside the Director General of the National Youth Service Commission (NYSC), Brig-Gen. Johnson Olawumi noted that the commission has put a lot in place to ensure the 48hours target was met.

    He said the commission is making all efforts to ensure that results are disclosed much earlier than in 2011.

    Jega also denied the report making the rounds that the Commission’s database has been compromised.

    INEC Boss in an apparent reaction to an allegation by the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Council that the master key was in possession of the APC, said only the producers of the data base infrastructure of INEC have the source code.

    He further said that the company, Act Technologies Limited, was approved by Federal Executive Committee and was never blacklisted.

    While also describing the allegations as baseless, Jega however regretted that it has the propensity to threaten the credibility of the election.

    Defending the choice of the firm, Jega said it went through all the expected checks before it was awarded the contract to develop the database.

    He said “it is regrettable that it is a pity that people can say all sorts of things and get away freely with it.  “it is a last minute attempt to undermine the credibility of the elections.”

    Jega also cleared the air on his disagreement on the issue of voters having to wait after casting their ballot or go home as advised by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba.

    Jega noted that his stand was not a sign of disagreement with the police but that voters should have the choice of waiting or staying after casting their votes.

    Explaining further that the presence of voters during the counting of votes would enhance the credibility of the polls.

    INEC Chairman also urged corp members drafted for the elections to take the assignment with all seriousness it deserves, noting that their security and welfare has been taken care of.

    He hailed the role of Corps members in enhancing the electoral process.

    On his part, the DG of the NYSC, urged the corp members to handle the assignment with high integrity.

    He urged them to stay away from any temptation that may tarnish the image of the scheme, families and nation.

    The DG also assured Corp members of their welfare and security, noting that while INEC has disbursed 100 percent for the corp members, the NYSC has disbursed 50 percent of that amount pending the completion of their assignment.

    He underscored that the decision to give them some part of the money was to enable them resist temptations from politicians to compromise.

    He said the nonpayment of corp members allowance is now a thing of the past.

  • INEC not for perfect election, says Kebbi REC

    INEC not for perfect election, says Kebbi REC

    • Concludes distribution of sensitive materials


    The Resident Electoral Commissioner of Kebbi State, Jibril Ibrahim Zarewa, yesterday said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is not out to conduct a perfect election today, but rather an election that is better than previous ones.

    Zarewa who stated this at a press briefing in Birnin-Kebbi how ever added that the agency had successfully distributed all sensitive materials throughout the 21 local governments in the state in readiness for the polls. 

    He added that the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection in the state is now 95 per cent and that there is still a window to enable those who have not collected theirs to do so on the day of voting at the polling units.

    He said: “We are going to have some challenges but if we are able to get the logistics right, we will set up small distribution centres so people can still collect their PVCs and vote.”

    Zarewa while responding to a questions on measures put in place by INEC to curb corruption related activities between its ad-hoc staff and politicians, said: “The issue of corruption is not between the ad-hoc staff and politicians, but rather let us say in the entire process.
    “I think Nigerians have settled for so many changes, Now those changes are intended to improve what we do. We cannot solve all problems over night. 

    “INEC does not expect to make a perfect election but our hope is to have an election that is free, fair and that is better than all the ones we have ever conducted and after we come to review, we will see the areas we made mistakes that will need further improvement in future. 

    “But it is not going to be a perfect election but we want it to better than all the elections we have had before.”

    According him, the number of registered voters in Kebbi State is 1,470,648, while PVCs supplied to the state is 1,467,992.

    He said that of the PVCs supplied 1,389,041 have been distributed representing 95 per cent of number of PVCs supplied.

    He added that 1,459,725 were supplied to the state out of which 1,458,474 which include five per cent on the number of register voters in the state have been distributed.

    He said the balance of 1,251 ballot papers have been returned to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for safe keeping.

    He said that the elections will be conducted in a total of 3,190 polling units and voting points made up of 2,398 polling units and 792 voting points. 

    The Kebbi REC said a situation room to monitor the conduct of the elections as well as interface with the INEC headquarters in Abuja has been opened.


    He said the situation room has been equipped with necessary gadgets to allow for online real time monitoring activities of field officers. 

    He said it would also allow the headquarters in Abuja to monitor election progress in the state during and after voting.

    He said even though the INEC would receive substantial information from the field before the end of collation and counting of votes, it would announce election results until it’s officers turn their reports. 

    He said the advance information is meant to safeguard the sanctity of actual figures arrived at the polling centres. 

    He said the Commission had made provision for 170 buses to enable the movement of both men and materials to the polling units on time.

    He advised the electorate to arrive the polling centres on time to enable the voting process to commence as scheduled by 8am.

  • All eyes on Rivers as INEC REC declare readiness for elections

    All eyes on Rivers as INEC REC declare readiness for elections

    As Rivers people file out tomorrow to elect their President, National House of Assembly members and subsequently to elect their governor and members of State House of Assembly on April 11. It is obvious that the onus is on the shoulder of Dame Gesila Khan, the Rivers State Resident Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free, fair and credible election.

    Rivers State having been declared as one of the states to watch out for political violence in this year’s election by political analysts and other stakeholders, the Bayelsa State born Dame Khan was posted out of Delta state to Rivers state when the state was boiling.

    The result of her peace  initiation in the state is everywhere and she has continue, even at the last minute to   engaged  with the youths, women, security agencies, religion leaders, non-governmental organization and political parties on how best to achieve peace and to  conduct free, fair and credible election in Rivers State.

    Apart from going from one community to another on voters’ education, the Rivers REC has also initiated a security committee headed by the state Commissioner of Police, Dan Bature. In a recent stakeholders meeting at INEC office in Port Harcourt, she told her guests that if she could do it in Delta Central election which was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere under her watch, she was optimistic that Rivers election will be peaceful and credible.

    She said INEC has done its part to stabilize the state and ensure that politicians do not see themselves as enemies but as brothers and sisters. She regretted that many innocent bloods had been shed in pre-political violence, pleading with shareholders especially the NGO to send the message across to politicians on the need to allow peace to reign.

    She confirmed that all is set to conduct a credible elections in Rivers state: “The Commission in its bid to conduct the most credible, free and fair Elections in 2015 has embarked on so many programmes all of which will culminate in the success of the polls. These include the distribution of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) for those who registered in 2011 and those who were captured in the Continuous Voters Registration in December 2014. The total number of registered voters in Rivers State is 2,537,590. As at March 18, 2015 a total of 2,469,383 PVCs have been received, and 87% of this number which is 2,148,289 has been distributed while a balance of 308,395 is yet to be collected. This figure includes both the PVCs for 2011 Registration and December 2014 Continuous Voters Registration exercise.

    “Card Readers have also been introduced in accreditation process to authenticate the voters and forestall any malpractices. A total of 6,818 Card Readers have been received and one each will be deployed to the 4,442 Polling units and 1,396 Voting points. The balance will be used to augment where necessary.

    “The PVC is swiped on the card reader and if it is INEC PVC, the Voter’s picture, VIN number and bio-data will appear on the screen of the card reader. And the card reader will give a command that the holder of the PVC should place his thumb on the reader and if accepted, the person then moves to next stage of the Accreditation process.”

    On the area of late arrival of material,  the Rivers INEC boss said the Commission had devised a means of reducing late arrival of personnel and materials to the polling units to the barest minimum. She said, that was done through the creation of Registration Area Centers (RACs) and Super RACs from where poll officials would proceed to their various polling units on Election Day.

    “We will ensure timely arrival of poll officials and materials before 8.00am on Election Day. By this the suspicions associated with late arrival of materials will be completely eliminated. A total of 76 RACs have been identified and prepared for the elections. The Commission has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Management to use the corpers for ad-hoc duties. It is to be noted that the enrollment of ad-hoc personnel in the forthcoming elections had been done online through INEC website for the various categories of person required for the conduct of the elections. And Twenty six thousand (26,000) Adhoc Personnel is required for the exercise and they have all been trained and retrained for the 2015 Elections.

    “Meanwhile, the Commission has embarked on rigorous voter enlightenment programmes through series of Radio and Television jingles, periodic announcements, talk shops, interview sessions and press conferences. Traditional media like town criers are also being utilised to reach the electorate at the grassroots. I and my team had carried out voter enlightenment messages to the traditional rulers in the state; women based groups, youth groups, religious leaders and market outreaches. Posters, banners and fliers were produced and distributed to all the LGAs.”

    The Rivers REC also inform the stakeholders that the issue of security has been handled, insisting that violence of any form during and after election would not been accepted.  She said the Commission is conscious of the importance of security in conducting effective, free, fairs and credible Elections.

    She noted that there is formation of Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES). “This body is made up of all military and para-military agencies in the State including INEC. The Agencies in this committee contribute their workforce together under the Command and control of the State Commissioner of Police who heads the Election security in the State. INEC in Rivers State has visited these security agencies to solicit their cooperation during the elections, and they have assured us of their support. The Committee (ICCES) has been meeting regular to analyze and workout security strategies for effective coverage of the entire State. About 12,228 security personnel are required for the 2015 election exercise in the State.

    “The Commission is seriously concerned about the incidences of violence before, during and after elections and we have been appealing to all stakeholders to prevail on our youths to shun all forms of violence and avoid being used by politicians to perpetrate acts that may lead to disruption of the elections. The future of this nation belongs to them and therefore they must help to deepen our democratic process.”

    The National coordinator, Women Initiative for Transparency and Social Justice, Dr. Jennifer Spiff who was in one of the interactive sessions with INEC and CSOs, said her 10-year experience in election monitoring shows that INEC was committed for free, fair and  credible elections.

     

  • Security beefed up at Edo INEC office

    Security beefed up at Edo INEC office

    There was heavy security presence at the Edo State headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as sensitive materials were distributed to the 18 local government areas in the state.

    Agents of political parties were seen hanging around INEC office to monitor movement of the sensitive materials.

    An APC member who pleaded anonymity said they want to ensure that the sensitive materials are no hijacked or diverted.

    As at press time, the materials were still being sorted out and distributed to various local government headquarters under heavy security escort.

    Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Mike Igini, said the commission was ready for Saturday’s election.

    He said steps taken by the commission were to overcome challenges of late arrival of materials.

    According to him, “We have received the sensitive materials and these materials will be at the local government today. By Friday, the Supervising Presiding Officer will proceed to Registration Area Centre. This time, it is the polling officers that will be waiting for voters.

    “You will see that the ballot papers and result sheets are customized according to local government unlike previous years where you can take one ballot paper from one local government to another. All of them are coded.”

    Igini stated that 1,247,191 PVCs have been distributed and expressed optimism that the figure might increased after Thursdday’s distribution.

    Meanwhile, a total of 11,040 security personnel would be deployed for Saturday’s election by the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigerian Police Force.

    Comptroller of Immigration in the state, Alana Olusegun, said the command would deploy 240 personnel across the 18 local governments to detect and stop aliens from voting.

    Alana said no foreigner has been arrested with PVC in the state apparently because they were forewarned to stay way from the electoral process.

    Public Relation of NSCDC in the state, Ogbebor Efosa, said 3000 NSCDC officials including armed squad would be deployed for the elections.

    He said armed squad of the command would not be at the polling unit but would patrol to prevent break down of law and order.

    Edo Police spokesman, DSP Joseph Edogiawerie, warned politicians against engaging thugs during the election.

    He said 7800 police personnel would be deployed.