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Tag: Inec

  • ACF, Itsekiri to INEC: don’t postpone elections

    ACF, Itsekiri to INEC: don’t postpone elections

    The North’s socio-cultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), and Itsekiri leaders of thought in the Niger Delta have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to postpone this month’s general elections.

    They spoke yesterday in Kaduna after a closed-door meeting at ACF’s national headquarters.

    In a communique by ACF Chairman Ibrahim Coomassie, and Itsekiri delegation’s leader, Chief Isaac O. Jemide, the two sides agreed that a postponement of the elections would do more harm than good.

    The communiqué reads: “We resolved to work together as Nigerians and call upon the INEC and other stakeholders that under no circumstance should it contemplate the postponement of the elections scheduled for February 14 and 28.

    “The implication of postponing the elections will be too far-reaching, as it may create a constitutional crisis, loss of confidence by the people in the system, social crises and general uncertainty.

    “We, therefore, reaffirm our belief in one Nigeria and the confidence in the role elections play in a democracy. To sustain the current democratic system, we should not tamper with the electoral process.”

    Also, a group of the Northern Delegates’ Forum to last year’s National Conference has distanced itself from calls by some of their former delegates to postpone the general elections.

    They said the conference never discussed the postponement of the elections from their scheduled dates.

    The forum’s Chairman Coomassie was reacting to calls by the delegates in a statement yesterday in Kaduna.

    The former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) denied any deliberation on election postponement.

    He described the call as strange and unbecoming of some of the former delegates.

    Coomassie said: “It has been brought to the attention of the Northern delegates to the 2014 National Conference, which took place from March 17 to August 20, 2014, that the conference recommended the postponement or shifting of the scheduled 2015 general elections, as being canvassed by some delegates in a recent statement.

    “As a distinguished delegate to the Conference and the Chairmen of the Northern Delegates’ Forum, I wish to categorically state that the issue of postponing or shifting the 2015 general elections was never discussed either at plenary or committee sessions throughout the duration of the conference. No mention was even made during the debate on some of the recommendations of the committees at plenary.

    “It is, therefore, strange and unbecoming of some of the delegates to come out, after the end of the conference on August 20, with the submission of conference report to Mr. President claiming that the conference endorsed the postponement of 2015 general election. This is certainly not the position of the 2014 conference, but the opinion of the canvassers who want to hide under the 2014 national conference.”

    The communiqué added: “It’s unfortunate that few days to the scheduled 2015 general elections, to which the government has committed huge resources and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) – which is responsible for the conduct of the elections – has assured Nigerians that it is fully prepared for the elections; some individuals or groups, who do not wish Nigeria well, have embarked on an unpatriotic call for the shifting of the 2015 elections…”

  • Pro-shift forces eye June as plot against Jega thickens

    Pro-shift forces eye June as plot against Jega thickens

    ‘Jonathan’s lawyer prosecutes case against Buhari’

    Proponents of postponement of the general elections are considering June as the new date for the all-important exercise.

    Reason: they want to ease out Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega, who remains firm that all is set for the February 14 and 28 elections.

    Jega and his National Commissioners’ five-year tenure will end on June 13. Those who do not trust his team “to do their bidding” are thinking of a new hand to run this year’s elections, The Nation learnt last night.

    But, despite the march on its Abuja headquarters, INEC is forging ahead in its preparations for the general elections.

    Prof. Jega has deployed all the National Commissioners and other top officials in the six geopolitical zones for first hand assessment of the readiness of all its state offices for the elections.

    The commission is  also keeping an eye on applications before some courts seeking to stop the  elections.

    Section 132(2)of the Constitution as amended states: “An election to the said office (President) shall be held on a date not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of that office”.

    It was learnt that the second alternative is to capitalise on lapses in the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) or shoddy management of the elections’ logistics to sack Jega and his team.

    But Jega enjoys  the confidence of the  international community and cannot be removed midway into the election process unless there is a legal basis for such.

    It was gathered that the legal alternative informed the filing of four applications before some courts to seek order to pull the brake on the elections.

    A source said: “Those pushing for the postponement of the election want June as the most practicable timeline when all eligible voters would have collected their PVCs.

    “They want Jega and his National Commissioners to complete their term on June 13 before the poll is conducted. There are fears that Jega and his team are unyielding.”

    But there is a snag: President Goodluck Jonathan’s first term will end on May 29.

    “Nigerians may rise against the extension of the present administration beyond May 29, 2015. The permutation has led to other options,” a source said, adding:

    “This is why they are thinking of creating a stalemate through the court, with an order stopping the conduct of the poll as proposed. This will leave Nigerians and political parties to return to the drawing board for options.

    “One of the options is exploring Section 25 of the Electoral 2010(as amended) which still leaves a window of 30 days before the end of Jonathan’s tenure for the conduct of the general election.”

    The section states: “Elections into the offices of the President and Vice-President, the governor and deputy governor of a state, and to the membership of the Senate, the House of Representatives and the House of Assembly shall be held in the following order…the date mentioned shall not be earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the House stands dissolved.

    “An election to the said office of the President shall be held on a date not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of that office.”

    Another source said: “If Jega and his team fail in the distribution of PVCs and falter in logistics for the poll, the affected forces will pressurise the government to sack them and raise a new group to conduct the general elections.

    “And you know INEC does not have total control of all the logistics. So, the plot against Jega and his team thickens.

    “A safe net for these forces is for a court pronouncement to stop the conduct of the polls. And by the time all the stakeholders move in and out of the court, the tenure of Jega would have expired.

    “The Judiciary will be a good cover for the government to defend the polls shift.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “Ordinarily, INEC would have been overruled on  issues surrounding the preparation for the poll but Jega and his team have international backing.”

    INEC officials declined comments yesterday on the twists to the pressure for polls shift.

    As at press time, however, Jega has deployed all the National Commissioners and other top officials in the six geopolitical zones for first hand assessment of the readiness of all the state offices for the polls.

    A source in INEC said of the trips: “It is a kind of checklist trip because we want to get everything right before the poll.

    “We are going ahead with preparation for the conduct of the general election. The INEC chairman will still address the press on Wednesday (today) on the status of our readiness.”

    There were fears yesterday that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) may not vote in spite of the efforts being made by INEC to make them participate.

    It was learnt that legal hurdles have made it virtually impossible to accommodate them since they were not registered.

  • CJN to judges: don’t be used to truncate democracy

    CJN to judges: don’t be used to truncate democracy

    Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Mahmud Mohammed talked tough yesterday. He warned judges and judicial officers against being used to truncate democracy.

    Justice Mohammed spoke against the background of various suits hurriedly filed by politicians or those being used by them to stop the February 14 and 28 elections or prevent candidates from contesting after being cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Many watchers of the political scene believe that the judiciary is about to be used to truncate the elections like it was during the 1993 presidential election.

    Justice Bassey Ikpeme gave a nuctunal  judgment stopping the elections, the basis of which the Gen. Ibrahim Babangida military regime said it annulled the polls. The crises that followed the cancellation of the poll, which was believed to have been won by the late Bashorun Moshood Abiola, almost consumed the country.

    Justice Mohammed said: “Let me use this opportunity to sound a note of warning to all judicial officers.  Do not allow any political party or politician to compromise your integrity or your future.  We must never again be used as tools to truncate our nation’s democracy.

    “I assure you that any judge found wanting would only have himself or herself to blame as the National Judicial Council will definitely not spare the rod in ensuring that the honour, respect and independence of the Judiciary is protected.”

    He spoke during the inauguration of the 242 judges appointed to the tribunals that will sit on petitions arising from the general elections.

    The CJN urged members of the tribunals to be guided by the law and their conscience. Besides, they should shun pressure from partisan interests.

    The 242 judges, who were sworn in yesterday during a brief ceremony at the Supreme Court, Abuja, were selected from various superior courts of record across the country. They include chairmen and members of the tribunals, who will handle disputes arising from the elections.

    Justice Mohammed said the decision to inaugurate the tribunal members before the polls was in accordance with the provision of Section 133 (3) (a) & (b) of the Electoral Act 2010, requiring that election petitions tribunals must be established 14 days prior to the elections, and that  the secretariat of the tribunals must be opened seven days before elections.

    He urged the judges to refrain from undue reliance on technicalities, but to be driven solely by the urge to do justice. He warned that those found wanting would be penalised by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

    He reminded them that their assignment would “be very laborious” and that they would “likely to be overstretched in the handling of election matters”.

    Justice Mohammed also reminded the tribunal members that “praises and condemnations will be meted out to you in the course of discharging your duties.  Unfortunately, some of the condemnations will come from our partners in the temple of justice ( i.e the Bar).  However, I urge you not to be deterred by the uncomplimentary comments of some politicians and litigants anytime judgment is given against them.”

    ”As you start your assignment, I must re-iterate that while you are on the tribunals, you will be looked upon as the embodiment of this ideal of Justice.  To that end, you must be the dispensers of justice, regardless of fear or favour, position or standing.

    “You must uphold the stability of this democracy by stamping the hallmark of legality on the conduct of our nation’s elections as it is through your eyes that Justice perceives a wrong that must be made right.

    “Since you all do not have the luxury of time in the discharge of your duties, I urge you all to be pedantic in your deliberations but do not allow ‘red- herring’ technicalities to distract you from the path of justice.  You must listen attentively, and enquire appropriately, taking care not to descend into the arena.

    “In addition, it is crucial that you consider all the evidence before you carefully, deliberate conscientiously, and adjudicate swiftly and justly as not only you but the entire Judiciary will also be on trial.  Posterity will judge you on the words that you utter in judgment and my sincere prayer is that we will all not be judged harshly by history,” the CJN said.

     

  • Expert urges INEC on data management

    Expert urges INEC on data management

    A management information system expert, Mr. Michael Ale, has advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the integrity of data management through the use of technological device, spot checking and on site verification, during the elections.

    He spoke when the National Data Verification team visited the consultant firm managing the National Water and Sanitation Data for Oyo State, under the World Bank-sponsored National Water and Sanitation Baseline Survey Update.

  • Youths protest PDP’s multiple candidates

    Youths protest PDP’s multiple candidates

    Over 500 youths yesterday blocked the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway in Awka, protesting the multiple candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State.

    They marched on the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), blocked its entrance and chanted war songs.

    The protest caused a gridlock. Motorists and passengers were stranded for hours.

    The youth carried placards with the inscriptions, such as “No to multiple candidates in the PDP,” “We say no to fraud”, “Enough of this illegality, INEC should talk now”, among others.

    They threatened to take action if the relevant agencies and INEC failed to act.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Edwin Nwatarali, assured them that he would channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters in Abuja.

  • INEC in Rivers set for poll

    INEC in Rivers set for poll

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Gesila Khan, has said the commission is ready to conduct the February 14ad 28 elections.

    The commission said in spite of the lapses associated with the collection of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC), the agency would not abandon the use of PVCs for the elections.

    Khan spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital at a voter’s sensitisation forum organised by the Rivers State branch of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

    The resident commissioner, who was represented by INEC Head of Department (HOD), Voters Education and Publicity, Mr. Achibie Godfrey, said the commission welcomes the NBA initiation of door-to-door voter’s sanitisation.

    He said there had been challenges in the distribution of the PVCs but its abandonment cannot be contemplated because it would help to eliminate fraudulent electoral practices.

    “I believe that there will be challenges, which are already in the public domain but we are confident that with the various mechanisms the commission had put in places such as the card reader, which was introduced to hasten accreditation, are expected to check fraud.

    ”We are prepared to conduct credible polls. But we are appealing to the political parties and the electorate to play by the rules to achieve a peaceful exercise. We must not forget to thank Rivers NBA for initiating voters’ awareness.”

  • Pressure mounts on Jega to postpone elections

    Pressure mounts on Jega to postpone elections

    44.7m cards collected

    Advocates of postponement seem to be getting more desperate, with the presidential election just 11 days away.

    Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega is under pressure to shift the elections from February 14 and 28. He remains firm, insisting that the commission is prepared for the all-important exercise.

    The pro-shift agitators have:

    •instituted four suits in the courts, pleading that INEC should be told to pull the brakes on the elections;

    •said that the insecurity in the Northeast makes a shift imperative; and

    •marched on the INEC headquarters yesterday to push their case.

    Besides, security agencies have asked INEC to explain four issues which, they said, will assist them in taking a stand.

    National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki was hit by a hail of criticism when he suggested in London that the elections could be shifted for would-be voters to get the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    To INEC, however, the cards will be no excuse for shifting the elections.

    INEC has so far distributed 44, 741,759 cards.

    The figure represents about  65 per cent of 68,833, 476 registered voters for the  general election.

    Jega is expected to speak tomorrow on whether or not the polls will go ahead as scheduled.

    INEC arrived at the new figure after an evaluation session in Abuja, according to sources.

    A top source in INEC said: “As at Monday, 44, 741,759 Permanent Voters Cards have been received by their owners. We are hopeful that by February 8, the figure would have become higher than this because the response of eligible voters has been encouraging.

    “I also want to place on record that all the PVCs for the 68,833, 476 registered voters have been received by INEC and distributed to all the 36 states and the FCT.

    “It is important for the public to know that 65 per cent of eligible voters for 2015 poll have collected their PVCs. This implies that we can go ahead with the election.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “There is no cause for alarm at all because we have extended the period for the collection of PVCs to February 8.

    “If you look at the 2011 poll, during the presidential election, 40, 728, 990 voted but only 39,469, 484 votes were valid and 1,259,506 votes invalid.

    “While in  2007 about 35,288, 984 voted during the presidential election, the figure for 2003 was 42, 018,735, including 2,538, 246 invalid votes.

    “Even in 1999 when the stake was higher following anxiety over the return to democracy, the voters’ turnout was 30, 282, 052. The acclaimed June 12, 1993 presidential election recorded 14, 293, 396 votes.”

    To the source, who pleaded not to be named, Nigerians voting history has shown that less than 50million usually votes.

    “All the noise about PVCs is the handiwork of some elements who are looking for an excuse to shift the poll at all cost,: he stressed, adding:

    “So, we are convinced that we are still within the projection of the average voters turnout during our past general elections.”

    Jega will on Wednesday lay all the cards on the table before Nigerians on INEC’s preparedness and the sanctity of the timelines.

    “Our indices are ready, we will present these for all the stakeholders to assess us. There are so many vested interests who do not see anything good in what INEC has done,” the source said, adding:

    “We woke up today to hear rumours of the resignation of Prof. Jega as INEC chairman when he was busy holding series of meetings in the office.”

    Security agencies  are likely to meet with INEC “before the end of this week.”

    They are likely to, according to a source, discuss:

    •likely disenfranchisement of voters;

    •effect of litigations on PVCs on the outcome of the elections;

    •on relocation of many polling units; and

    •confusing Business Rule of removing four million registered voters from register without informing them.

    “The relocation of polling booths from private school, churches and mosque is a welcome development. Has  INEC informed woul-be voters? Can’t this development lead to confusion on voting day?” a source said, adding:

    “The confusing Business Rule has ensured the removal of at least over 4 million registered voters, who are yet to be aware of the removal of their names; if they may require re-registration or recapturing as INEC promised the Sultan of Sokoto over his plight.”

    One of the sources in INEC said: “We are awaiting a session with all stakeholders to clear the air on many issues. But we are yet to be invited by security agencies.”

    As at the time of filing this report, Jega was in a crucial meeting with top INEC management staff.

    It was not immediately clear what informed the emergency session.

    Contacted, a National Commissioner of INEC said: “Jega met with all directors to checklist all preparations for the elections coming up in the next few days.

    “It was more of a procedural thing, we wanted to ensure that all hands are on deck and things are working as planned.

    “In fact, I can tell you that three meetings were held on Monday between Jega and  his team. He held strategic session with National Commissioners, members of the management and those in technical units and all directors.

    “The meetings had nothing to do with any resignation or frustration.”

    Chief Press Secretary to  the INEC Chairman said: “The meeting with directors and management staff was a routine one.

    “In preparation for the elections, INEC chairman,  National Commissioners and directors had been working late to make sure that all plans work accordingly.”

  • Protesters storm INEC, demand postponement

    Protesters storm INEC, demand postponement

    Some protesting youth stormed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Headquarters yesterday, demanding the postponement of this month’s general elections.

    The inability of the commission to have finalised the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) was put forward by the protesting youth as reason.

    The group, which first met at the Unity Fountain in Abuja, matched to the INEC headquarters, holding banners and placards that advocate for the election postponement.

    They chanted for the polls’ postponement, citing the challenges in the Permanent Voters Cards’ (PVCs) distribution and the need to avoid injustice to the large number of Nigerians who could not get their PVCs.

    Some of the placards had inscriptions such as: “An injustice to one is an injustice to all”; “INEC do the right thing”; “We demand for the extension of election to allow Nigerians exercise their franchise”; “Election is for general participation, not for selective few”; “Don’t disenfranchise Nigerians”.

    INEC had insisted that the elections will be conducted using the PVCs as the only way to check rigging.

    The group, under the aegis of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and led by its National Coordinator, Solomon Chuks, said with the rate of distribution of PVCs, many will be disenfranchised should the elections go ahead as scheduled.

    Chucks, who presented the group’s protest letter to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, insisted that going ahead with the polls would deny many Nigerians their constitutional rights to choose their preferred leaders through ballot.

    “The PVC, which is supposed to be one of the instruments of votes, has not been fully distributed around Nigeria.

    “Those people, who actually remain under scorching sun to sign their names for these PVCs, have not gotten these things; yet elections are fast approaching, “he said.

  • 2015: 68.8m PVCs ready for collection – INEC

    2015: 68.8m PVCs ready for collection – INEC

    The Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) of all the 68.8 million registered voters for this month’s general election have been produced and ready for collection, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said.

    INEC also said that the PVCs of those who were affected when the commission had data loss were also ready for collection.

    This category may include the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos and many other registered voters who INEC had said that their cards were not among those initially produced because their data were mistakenly deleted.

    Also ready for collection are those of individuals that participated in the recent Continuous Voter registration.

    Speaking at a one- day workshop for journalists organized by the Commission in Kaduna on Monday, the Deputy Director (Publicity), Mr. Nick Dazang, said all the cards have been distributed to the collecting centres across the federation.

    He said so far 65 per cent of the PVCs have been collected, stressing that with the one week extension, it was expected that almost all of the PVCs would have been collected.

    Dazang also announced that some states have recorded about 80 per cent collection.

     

  • Disqualification: Court orders service of documents on Buhari, INEC

    Disqualification: Court orders service of documents on Buhari, INEC

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the service of court documents on the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, in relation to a suit seeking to among others, restrain him from participating in the February 14 election.

    Justice Adeniyi Ademola ordered a substituted service of the court documents on Buhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission after hearing the plaintiff’s application to that effect.

    In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/14/2015, filed by Max Ozoaka, the plaintiff raised eight questions for the court’s determination and prayed for among others, an order disqualifying Buhari from contesting or participating in the election.

    The suit has Buhari and the INEC as defendants.

    It is the plaintiff’s contention that INEC FORM CF 001 which the APC candidate submitted to the electoral body was incomplete because he allegedly failed to accompany the form with all relevant academic credentials.

    He also faulted some information contained in other documents he possessed including Buhari’s voter’s card.

    The plaintiff wants the court to restrain INEC from permitting Buhari to participate in the presidential election on February 14 or any other date the 2nd defendant (INEC) may fix.”