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Tag: Inec

  • Only 2.3m PVCs collected in Lagos – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday disclosed that only 2.3 million Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) have been collected in Lagos, appealing to registered voters to go and collect their cards.

    The state’s Resident Electoral Commission, Akin Orebiyi, who made the disclosure at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Nigeria Police Force towards a successful conduct of the forthcoming general election, said the state was among those with low turnout in PVC collection.

    Orebiyi stated that four million PVCs were made available for the 5.9 million registered voters in the state last year, but only 2.3 million have been collected.

    The REC said in order to make the collection exercise easier, INEC has extended distribution points to the 245 collation centres, an improvement on the 20 INEC local government offices that were usually used.

    Orebiyi said PVC 139 boxes have been delivered to the state in addition to the four million earlier sent, dismissing allegations of disenfranchisement by INEC.

    He urged politicians to ensure that their supporters come forward for the PVCs, noting that the commission has no plan to allow people vote with Temporary Voter’s Cards ( TVCs).

    He said: “INEC is ready to conduct this election. We have made all necessary preparations and even provided for plan B.

    “Let me use this opportunity to apologise to the people on the issue of the PVCs, but here in Lagos, we have had four million PVCs since 2014 for the 5.9 million registered voters, but only 2.3 million have been collected. We have also taken delivery of 139 boxes of PVCs. People have not been coming forward to collect their PVC.

    “There are various categories of people affected by the PVC: Those who registered in 2011 and whose PVCs are ready for collection now should go and collect them if they have not.

    “For those who registered in 2011, who saw their names on the displayed register at the polling units, their cards will be at the collection centres by next week.

    “INEC has not disenfranchised anyone, group, political party or any part of the country. We do not know what party they will vote for or in which part of the country they will be on election days.”

     

  • Party chiefs close to blows over elections shift plot

    Party chiefs close to blows over elections shift plot

    We’ll take the best decision, says Jega

    INEC distributes 42.7m PVCs

    It was a routine meeting to brief parties on the preparations for next month’s general elections.

    But yesterday’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conference with parties’ leaders in Abuja was a big show of fury – for about 10 minutes.

    Reason: A row broke out on whether or not  to postpone the February 14 and 28 elections – an item that was not on the agenda.

    On one side was the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the United Progressives Party (UPP), which stood their ground that the timeline for the general elections must not be altered. On the other were the other parties.

    APC representative Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former INEC Secretary, was screaming that shifting the elections would not be acceptable to Nigerians. Unable to overwhelm him, the other parties’ leaders threatened to boycott the polls.

    A bewildered INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, and his commissioners watched in disbelief as leaders of parties quarrelled over an issue that was not on the agenda.

    INEC invited the parties for briefing on its preparations for the election, including the status of the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), the use of card readers, relocation of polling units and other logistics.

    Jega opened the session with an assurance that everything was being done to ensure hitch-free polls.

    The initial part of the interaction was marked with media glitz and camaraderie by the leaders of the parties. The meeting thereafter went into a closed session.

    But trouble started when Jega and leaders of the parties retired into a closed- door after reporters took their leave, to consider the address of the INEC chairman.

    Virtually all the parties, except the APC and the UPP, were in favour of postponement of the elections.

    A source said: “Though the issue was not on the agenda, a lesser party and its presidential candidate began the discussion on Jega’s address by asking for the postponement of the elections.

    “Like a rehearsed script, others joined the chorus and started impressing on INEC why it must shift the poll. They alleged that most registered voters were yet to get their PVCs.

    “The vehemence of these parties suggested a kind of alliance. It also showed that some forces were pulling the strings.

    “But the APC team, led by Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, opposed the demand. The UPP delegation, under the leadership of its presidential candidate, Chief Chekwas Okorie, also said polls postponement would damage the nation’s reputation in the comity of nations.

    “At a point, the other parties threatened to boycott the polls and they started shouting, ‘APC, UPP,  we will leave you and INEC to participate in the February elections and then we will see if this will be acceptable to Nigerians and the international community.”

    Another source spoke of how Jega and his commissioners watched in disgust as the leaders of the parties were almost exchanging blows at the conference hall.

    “They pointed accusing fingers at each other like school children and it was a big shame watching these leaders create a rowdy scene before an umpire.

    “At a stage, Jega took control by merely adding a clincher: ‘We will take the best decision.’ This intervention calmed frayed nerves and orderliness was restored,” the source said.

    Notwithstanding the drama, INEC proceeded with the session and the commission’s Director of ICT, Mr. Chidi Nwafor, an engineer, briefed the media on the status of  the distribution of PVCs.

    All parties were given the table on the PVCs status for further consideration by their members.

    Despite the security challenges in the Northeast, the turnout of eligible voters for PVCs is impressive in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

    But the distribution of PVCs is abysmally low in Lagos where of the 5, 905, 852 registered,  only 2,267,039 or 38.39 percent have got PVCs.

    The distribution is also poor in Kano State, which recorded 2,612, 400 (52.5%) PVCs of the 4,975,701 registered voters.

    The partial breakdown of the distribution is as follows: Adamawa -1, 239, 820(79.53 %); Borno( 999, 470(56.18 %); Yobe- 740,336(67.31 %); Akwa Ibom-1,328,714(79.05%); Gombe-873, 698(78%); Cross River-776,977 (66.09%); and Abia—1,020,997(73.13%).

    Others are Delta—1,422,595(62.52%); Kwara —711,926(62.33%); Niger—1,250,379(62.07%); Bauchi—1,745,441(84.97%); Jigawa—1,460,620(79.76%); Kaduna—2,976,628(87.36%); Zamfara—1,045,855(69.92%); Taraba—1,079,383(80.51%); Katsina—2,245,393(79.40%); Sokoto—1,211,717(75.17%); and Osun—995,562(70.75%).

  • 2015: APC demands INEC’s position on elections

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) has demanded for a concrete statement from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the February date for 2015 general election.

    APC which is the main opposition party in the forthcoming elections also warned that no one should interfere with the conduct of the exercise.

    Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a chieftain of the party, also warned that the party was not prepared to tolerate any excuses.

    Baba-Ahmed, who represented the party at a parley with INEC, also urged the electoral body to double its efforts in the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    He said: “First of all we want INEC to make a statement, a very clear statement that the dates – February 14t and 28 are sancrosant. No one should interfere with the conduct of the elections.

    “We want INEC to double its efforts to make sure that all voters get their PVCs before the elections. We want INEC to improve on voter education. And I hope other parties will also do the same thing.

    “Generally, we feel that INEC is doing its best and we encourage and support them.

    “This election must go on, there is no going back on these elections. Elections must hold on February 14 and 28. We will not tolerate excuses.”

    The party, he said would not want to contemplate not holding the elections.

     

  • NBA to INEC: allow eligible voters to vote

    NBA to INEC: allow eligible voters to vote

    THE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that every eligible Nigerian was allowed to exercise his/her right to vote during next month’s general elections.

    The NBA said following INEC’s inability to fully distribute permanent voter’s cards (PVC) to all eligible voters, it would amount to denying them their right to vote should registered voters be denied the opportunity to vote because he/she has no PVC.

    NBA’s General Secretary Afam Osigwe said although INEC could make regulations to ensure free and fair election, its position that only those with PVCs would vote was outside the requirement under the Electoral Act.

    Osigwe, who spoke in Abuja yesterday, said the requirement under the Electoral Act was that to be eligible to vote, one must have his/her name on the voter register.

    “INEC had powers to make regulations. But if such regulations offend the right of citizens to vote, that will not be accepted. INEC must do all it can to ensure that every  eligible voter is allowed to vote with  PVC or not.

    “The IDPs (internally displaced people) have the right to vote. It is not whether they should vote. It is that they should be provided with all they need to vote,” he said.

    Osigwe spoke while contributing to discussions during a meeting of stakeholders on Franchise 2015 Project, an initiative of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to campaign against hate speech and other acts capable of igniting violence before, during and after next month’s elections.

  • PDP wins first Rep seat in Benue

    PDP wins first Rep seat in Benue

    •INEC rejects minor parties’ governorship nominations

    THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won the first seat in the House of Representatives, even as the election is 19 days away.

    Christian Adabah Abah is the only candidate validly nominated to contest the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadigbo Federal Constituency seat in Benue State. He is of the PDP.

    According to the Electoral Act, in case of an only nomination, the Independent National Election (INEC) is mandated to declare such a candidate elected.

    Yesterday,   INEC, in an extract issued and signed by the Director (Commission’s Secretariat), Ishiaku A. Gali, declared that on election day, its returning officer will declared Abah elected.

    Section 41 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) provides that: “If after expiration of time for delivering of nomination papers, withdrawal of candidates and the extension of time as provided for in this Act there is only one person whose name is validly nominated in respect of an election, other than to the office of the President or Governor, that person shall be declared elected.”

    INEC also yesterday rejected some governorship candidates nominated by some mushroom parties because they have no running mates. Seven political parties are affected.

    The parties and the states affected are: Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) in Delta State; Labour Party in Niger State; New Nigeria Peoples Party in Ogun State; Unity Party of Nigeria in Oyo State; United Democratic Party in Rivers State; and Peoples Democratic Movement in Sokoto and Zamfara states.

    Section 187 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) provides that a candidate to the office of a governor shall not be deemed to be validly nominated for such office unless he appoints another candidate as his running mate, who shall occupy the office of deputy governor.

  • INEC receives card readers

    INEC receives card readers

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Oyo State has said it has received a consignment of card readers.

    This has ended speculations by politicians that some “money bags” have purchased Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    INEC’s Head of Voter Education and Publicity Ayodele Folami, who spoke on a private radio station, Flash FM yesterday, said the commission received reports of some politicians buying PVCs.

    He described such exercise as futile and waste of resources “because INEC has received a consignment of card readers which will take care of anybody using someone else’s PVC”.

    The INEC spokesman advised the electorate not to sell their PVCs and suffer for four years “because they will not be bold to ask the politicians for accountability”.

  • Uba’s, PDP’s campaigns get boost

    Uba’s, PDP’s campaigns get boost

    President Goodluck Jonathan’s bid for re-election received a boost at the weekend, when the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State, Chief Chris Uba, took the party’s campaigns to Ogbaru, Onitsha North and South local governments.

    Uba is contesting the Anambra South senatorial seat with the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and former Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) Chief Executive, Ernest Ndukwe.

    Following his acceptance in his zone, he took the PDP campaigns to the local governments to introduce other candidates and woo voters for President Jonathan.

    Many people were surprised when the name of Chris Uba, the state’s political godfather, appeared on the list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), instead of his elder brother’s, Senator Andy Uba.

    It was learnt that his name was listed, because of the primaries held; only the one by the Ejike Oguebego group was monitored by INEC. Chris Uba’s name was on the list.

    Oguebego is the chairman of the party according to a court declaration.

    At the Ogbaru and Onitsha centres, the senatorial candidate of the party in Anambra North and former Minister of Transport, Prince John Emeka, was presented to the people, who cheered him.

    Oguebego presented the candidate to represent Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Benny Obaze, to the people. He also presented Ifeyinwa Anazonwu, the candidate for Onitsha North and South Federal Constituency. PDP flags were given to them.

    Uba urged the people to obtain their permanent voter cards (PVCs).

    He said he was expecting 100 per cent votes for President Jonathan and other PDP candidates, adding that the party would not disappoint the electorate.

  • ’INEC should permit temporary cards’

    ’INEC should permit temporary cards’

    Akinwunmi Ambode Kommittee of Friends (AA’KOF) has urged Nigerians to eschew violence before, during and after the elections.

    The group’s Media Director, Cornelius Olopade, who spoke yesterday in Mushin, Lagos at the campaign of the Lagos State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, said “violence does not breed good but evil.”

    Said he: “AA’KOF has been educating people to allow peace reign, as the elections approach.”

    Ambode enjoined Lagosians to vote for him, his running mate, Dr. Oluranti Idiat Adebule and other APC candidates, to enable them continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy started by the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola.

    He said he would discourage youths from involving in violence and crimes by creating jobs.

    The party’s candidate for Mushin Constituency 2 in the House of Assembly, Abdulsobur Olayiwola Olawale, advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow the electorate to use temporary voter cards.

    Olawale, who spoke at the rally, said if this was done, people who did not have permanent voter cards (PVCs) would not be disenfranchised.

    The House of Assembly hopeful, who was the special assistant (SA) to former Lagos State Governor Tinubu on Transportation, said if elected, he would sponsor bills to transform transport and other sectors of the economy.

  • Igini: INEC committed to credible elections

    Igini: INEC committed to credible elections

    The Edo State Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has restated its commitment to free, fair and violence-free elections on February 14 and 28.

    Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Mike Igini spoke yesterday in Benin, the state capital, at INEC’s stakeholders’ forum and meeting with the political parties and their candidates.

    The REC noted that there was need for parties to avoid violence before, during and after the polls.

    He said the onus rested on politicians to educate their supporters on the symbol of their parties before going to the polling units.

    Igini said of the 1,779,738 persons who registered for the permanent voter cards (PVCs) in Edo State, 1,046,960 had collected theirs.

    The REC also said of the 177,000 card readers the commission ordered for, 1,861 had been supplied to Edo State.

    According to him, it took between 30 seconds and a minute to accredit an individual with the machines.

    Igini condemned violence or thuggery during elections, adding that there was no use for any politician or his party to encourage such crime.

    The REC said they should, instead, encourage them to register and obtain their PVCs.

    Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) Publicity Secretary Godwin Erhabor described the event as a welcome development.

    He urged the party’s supporters to shun violence, adding that it was better for all to unite than fight for positions.

    APC Secretary Osaro Idah said no politician was worth dying for.

    He urged the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to increase its awareness campaign to discourage thuggery and other forms of violence during the elections.

  • INEC Distributes 993, 459 PVCs In Osun

    The headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the Staten of Osun has said it has distributed 993,459 (70.65 per cent)  out of 1,406,147 permanent voters cards in the state.

    The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, who was just deployed to the state, spoke on Friday at his maiden press briefing, saying, 412,688 (29.35 per cent) of the cards were yet to be distributed.

    He added that the distribution of the PVC would stop at the end of January, noting that the commission has extended the distribution of the cards to ward level to ensure that more people get it.

    Ogunmola also stressed that Saturdays have now been included in the days for the distribution of PVCs, while the closing times have been extended.

    The INEC boss also said the state office of the commission has so far received 2,133 Voter Card Readers, while the rest are yet to be deployed, saying, the commission would use the available ones to start training of officials that would work with them.

    He said, 3,960 Plastic Ballot Boxes have so far been deployed to the state and were in the store of the commission.

    Ogunmola added that the commission has started voters’ enlightment, while workshop would also be organised for all categories of people.

    On allegation of bias against his predecessor, Ambassador Rufus Akeju, the REC described his predecessor as a man of integrity, but a victim of bad politics on the side of those castigating him.

    Wondering why politicians would go extra mile to blame “such thorough bred diplomat” when they could not achieve their aims, he said, “it is unfortunate that the kind of politics we play in this country is quite dirty.

    “He is a man of integrity, but he was misunderstood,” he said.