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Tag: Inec

  • Ripples over INEC’s PDP list in Anambra

    Ripples over INEC’s PDP list in Anambra

    The list of senatorial candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is causing ripples in Anambra State.

    The commission on Tuesday listed the state’s political godfather, Chief Chris Uba, Senator Annie Okonkwo and former Minister of Transport Chief John Emeka as the candidates.

    PDP had submitted the names of Uche Ekwunife representing Anaocha, Njikoka, Dunukofia Federal Constituency, former Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah and Senator Andy Uba to INEC.

    Following the latest development, some people believed it was the end of PDP in the state. Others saw it as a good action.

    One of the party’s chieftains and the state Coordinator, Transform Nigeria Movement (TNM), Comrade Obi Ochije, told The Nation yesterday in Awka that the people would vote for those who had the interest of the state at heart.

    He said what the country needed at this period were people who could instil discipline and give the people the dividends of democracy.

    Ochije said: “Nobody is talking about party any longer, but anybody or group that can save the country. The nation is in a bad shape and needs good governance.”

    Another member of the PDP, who preferred anonymity, told The Nation that things had fallen apart in the PDP.

    Despite INEC’s list, Ekwunife said she would go ahead with her campaigns.

    The Nation learnt that Chris Uba would storm Anambra State tomorrow to begin his campaigns.

    A source said he would arrive the state with PDP bigwigs, adding that members would await him and his entourage at the Amansea border of Enugu and Anambra states.

    Ekwunife yesterday visited the monarch of Nawfia, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo, Igwe of Nawgu and Igwe of Abba, both in Dunukofia Local Government.

    She said: “Our senatorial project is still on course, no shaking.”

  • 68.8m eligible to vote, says INEC

    68.8m eligible to vote, says INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday listed 68.8 million people as eligible to vote in next month’s general elections.

    The presidential and national assembly elections will hold on February 14 to be followed by the governorship and state assemblies’ elections on February 28.

    The number of voters is about five million less than the 2011 figures of 73.5million. About 30.8 million Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) are yet to be collected. They can still be picked up till end of the month, INEC said.

    Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, spoke yesterday as the agency unfolded the statistics for the elections.

    The presentation was done by INEC Director of Information Communication Technology (ICT),Mr. Chidi  Nwafor.

    Jegsa said: “in line with provisions of the law, the Commission has just announced the publication of the register of voters that will be used for the February 2015 general elections. The total number of voters registered for the elections is 68,833,476.”

    Jega explained that the register was cleaned up to prepare for the production of PVCs and to eliminate ghost voters.

    Political parties are expected to collect the register today.

    Jega said INEC had collected all the cash it proposed to spend for the elections.

    Besides, he said the commission had taken custody of 130,000 card readers to be used for the elections. They have been distributed; adding that the remaining would be brought in before month end.

    He said: “Contrary to doubts being peddled by some persons, INEC will use card readers for the 2015 election. The Commission has already taken delivery of more than 130,000 units of these card readers, and we are on schedule to receive the remaining quantity before the end of January. Deployment of the card readers to states has commenced.”

    With the card readers, Jega said the commission would be able to tackle electoral fraud as the technology would greatly eliminate impersonation and other forms of electoral fraud.

    Jega foreclosed the possibility of using the temporary voter cards for the election. Only the PVCs  would be used.

    Speaking of the PVCs, Jega said: “As we have already made public, more than 38million PVCs have been collected by duly registered voters across the country. But that leaves many PVCS yet to be collected.

    ” To address this challenge, we have directed RECS to further decentralise distribution to the Ward level. We have also extended the time for distribution, which is now 8:30a.m to 5:30p.m, Mondays to Saturdays. Our staff will strictly comply with the announced hours of distribution. “Failure by any of our staff to comply with the schedule can be promptly reported at the Local Government and State offices of the Commission, as well as the National Headquarters through the INEC Citizens Contact Centre (ICCC).”

    On the issue of funding, Jega said “the commission is happy to say that it has received from the government all the funds required to conduct the general elections. We can say, in effect, that funding is no longer a challenge to the forthcoming elections.”

    Speaking on the efforts to ensure that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) vote, Jega said “the Commission is finalising arrangements to enable IDPs to vote. On Tuesday, we will be having a meeting with stakeholders to present our plans and get their input, as well as buy-in.”

    INEC has also released Candidates’ list for February 14th National elections following  nominations made by political parties and as required by law.

     

     

     

    For the presidential election, there are 14 candidates duly nominated by political parties. For the Senatorial elections, there are 739 candidates; and for the House of Representatives election, there are 1,780 candidates.

    The list of nominated candidates for state elections (i.e. Governorship and Houses of Assembly) will be published on January 27.

  • PDP lacks integrity to query Buhari’s certificate, says Tinubu

    PDP lacks integrity to query Buhari’s certificate, says Tinubu

    All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lambasted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify APC presidential candidate General Muhammadu Buhari over certificate issues.

    Tinubu, who spoke yesterday during the APC’s rally in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, described PDP as a “shameless” party.

    He said: “I laugh when the incapable government of Nigeria, the Poverty Development Party has nothing to say; they have the temerity to question the educational qualification of General Buhari and look for his certificate. Aaaaaaa! (laughter) Shame on them… what an insult!.

    “The Armed Forces institution… Don’t go through General Buhari, ask the military. After all, he went to Army school – from Cadet School, he got a star. From there, he became Colonel, dem no talk. Then Major, dem no talk, from Brigadier General to General, dem no talk. He went to war and came back, dem no talk. They (military) sent him to Army School in London, he passed; you (military) also sent him to United States where he and white Americans did left, right, left, he passed. He came back and was not removed from the Army. He became Head of State. Nobody talked about his certificate. Since he has been contesting for the presidency, no one complained about his certificate. Now that we begged him to come and rule, they are asking for his certificate. I don’t want to follow a leader who lies.”

    Tinubu reiterated that Gen. Buhari is the right person Nigeria needs at this challenging period.

    “Every nation,” he said, “has a period of challenges.” “When United States was challenged, they turned to a war great man, their ex-military general, Harrison Iowa; when the French were challenged, they turned to General Charles de Gaulle; when Britain was challenged, they turned to their great general, Winston Churchill. Today, Nigeria is challenged, economically challenged, physically challenged and security challenged; who do we turn to… General Muhammadu Buhari. He is the real man for the job; if you talk of military experience, he has it abundantly; if you talk of courage, he has it abundantly; if you talk of simplicity, he has it abundantly; if you talk of great determination, a combination of mission and ability to perform, honesty and integrity, he has it abundantly, abundantly, abundantly…”

    Tinubu flayed President Goodluck Jonathan’s 10 million jobs promise made at a campaign in Ibadan on Monday.

    He said: “Today, many of our youths are unemployed and only yesterday (Monday), the man (Jonathan) promised 10 million jobs. He has spent six years without securing jobs for our children and now you are looking for votes. Is he a liar or not? Lies have torn their umbrella. They are failures. Under free economy aspect, they cannot create jobs for you. Are you not tired of it? You went to the university for seven or eight years for a four-year course. Are you not tired of it? School fees are becoming a thing of tears. Are you not tired of it? I can teach them how to create the jobs locally. We will give you student loan. Our programme – four years would be four years. You will not stay beyond four years before graduating from the university. By your fourth year, you will be taken through that critical path.

    “You have not been able to create that job for six years. You assembled our youths at the stadium in Abuja, Owerri, Enugu, everywhere and told them to pay for forms; they died without getting job. You did not show remorse. Nobody was sacked; and now he is making another promise. Who are you deceiving? PDP! Don’t be deceived. If they want to continue to say we are sadistic, we are not. Our children are dying. Our nation, our being, devastated through the hail of bombs. If your son comes back from school and says he has failed, you tell him to look for another job.  Jonathan said he has failed; let him go and look for another job. We don’t want a President that can’t perform. It is not his fault; he does not have what it takes to rule Nigeria. Let him go and rest at home.”

  • Senate to politicians: support INEC to conduct free polls

    •Mark reassures on passage of budget, PIB, others

    THE Senate has asked Nigerians, especially the political class, to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to achieve free, fair, transparent and credible elections next month without hindrance.

    It said it was disturbed and saddened by the war songs emanating from many quarters, particularly from highly-placed Nigerians, threatening violence.

    Elections, it said, must not turn into theatres of war.

    Senate President David Mark said this yesterday while welcoming senators after the Christmas, New Year and Eid-el Maulud festivities.

    He urged INEC to ensure  that the  internally displaced persons (IDPs) vote next month.

    INEC, Mark said, must ensure that no eligible Nigerian is disenfranchised.

    He reassured Nigerians that the National Assembly would ensure that the 2015 Appropriation Bill and other bills are passed before the end of their tenure.

    He listed some of the top items on the agenda of the Senate as  the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), the fall in oil prices and its impact on budgetary commitments, ensuring credible elections and resolving insurgency in the Northeast.

    Others are consideration of the reports of the Conference of Speakers of State legislators  on the amendment of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and the management, welfare and rehabilitation of IDPs as well as the welfare of families of deceased members of the armed forces.

    The speech marked the beginning of the final lap of the Seventh Senate.

    His words: “We are in the fevered grip of elections, but despite the pregnancy of expectation and the excitement being generated by the elections, we must always stick to the task of delivering democratic dividends to our people. We must not shirk our responsibilities.

    “The enthusiasm across the length and breadth of the land for the upcoming elections is a proof that Nigerians have imbibed democratic ethos and values.

    “Many of us are already on the field seeking the votes of our constituents. Experience has shown that the electioneering period are often difficult times.

    “Politicians must desist from provocative and inciting utterances. We may be in different political parties, but we are not enemies. We must educate, caution and guide our supporters and followers.

    “Election should be an asset to democracy, but where it leads to violence or acrimony, it becomes a liability.

    “We must, irrespective of party affiliations, do our best to ensure free, fair, transparent and credible elections.”

    He said he was disturbed and saddened by the war songs emanating from many quarters, particularly from highly placed Nigerians.

    “Elections need not dissolve into theatres of war. It is my belief that war mongering will only result in a legacy that we will all regret,” he said.

    The Senate president said as senators, they have a role to play in ensuring that the country witnesses a peaceful general election.

    Mark added that despite the vaunted anxiety that the nation might not survive the elections,  he was optimistic that the country has the strength of character, the political will, perseverance and maturity to rise above  the challenges that lie ahead.

    Mark, who alluded to the loaded agenda before the Seventh Assembly, reminded his colleagues that there were many issues to be addressed before the termination of their tenure by May.

    He said:  “As we resume this last lap of the Seventh Senate, we shall endeavour to pass the lingering Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). We are conscious of the concerns of various stakeholders – Nigerians and foreigners.

    “It has taken long, but we should do all we can to pass it. When passed, the PIB will have profound impact on the future direction of our economy and will be one of the legacies of this Assembly.

    “Although, we have a critical and congested legislative timetable ahead, we must be thorough in our work.”

    On the worsening insurgency in parts of the country, he said: “It is with deep pain in my heart, embarrassment and frustration that I draw our attention to the fact that insurgency and terrorism are still with us.

    “Consequently, several innocent and productive lives have been needlessly lost. The truth is that the Northeastern part of our country is under siege.”

    He urged every Nigerian, irrespective of partisanship, to demonstrate patriotism, by supporting the armed forces and other security operatives “to stop this evil.”

    Bomb blasts, according to him, are non-partisan in their destructive nature, adding: Insecurity plagues all of us and must be tackled holistically.

    “The armed forces and government must intensify efforts to rescue our young innocent Chibok girls. Government must do all it can to end this insurgency. This is a war that we must win and we will win.”

    On the 2015 Appropriation Bill, he said: “The National Assembly is committed to the passage of the 2015 Budget. Before we do that however, we must allow for a deliberate, meticulous and exhaustive debate of the estimates.

    “This is an important process which affords us the opportunity to make inputs for the common good of the people. I must emphasise that this is a constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly.

    “In the face of declining oil prices, it is clear that our over-reliance on a mono-product is unhealthy and unsustainable.

    “This reality makes it even more pertinent that the Federal and state governments work assiduously to develop other sources of revenue generation outside the oil and gas sectors.”

  • INEC opens 245 centres for PVCs collection in Lagos

    INEC opens 245 centres for PVCs collection in Lagos

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State has said it has directed its Electoral Officers (EOs) to move to 245 Registration Areas across the state for the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    INEC’s spokesman Femi Akinbiyi spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos.

    Akinbiyi said the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Akin Orebiyi, had directed the officers to ensure that eligible voters yet to collect their PVCs are able to receive them at their wards.

    “The REC has directed the EOs to move the cards closer to the people after consultation with relevant stakeholders in the local governments.

    “Even in the riverine areas, our staff will be staying with the communities for the distribution,” he said.

    Akinbiyi said the step was in line with the directive to decentralise the collection of PVCs, to bring them closer to the electorate.

    The INEC PRO urged Lagos residents to pick up their cards at the centres across the state.

    He said a lot of cards produced were awaiting collection at various centres.

    Akinbiyi said the PVCs should be collected on or before January 31.

    The PVCs, according to the commission, can be picked up in 19 centres in Lagos Island Local Government Area, 10 in Kosofe, 10 in Ikeja, 11 in Ifako-Ijaiye and 19 in Epe.

    It also said that they could be collected in 11 centres in Ibeju-Lekki, 10 in Eti-Osa, 11 in Badagry, 10 in Apapa, 11 in Amuwo-Odofin, 11 in Alimosho, 11 in Ajeromi-Ifelodun, 11 in Agege and 12 in Somolu.

    According to the commission, they will be available in 11 centres in Oshodi-Isolo, 11 in Ojo, 19 in Ikorodu, 12 in Surulere, 11 in Lagos Mainland, and 14 in Mushin.

    INEC had ordered the decentralisation of the distribution of PVCs to ward levels nationwide, to enhance access by persons yet to collect their cards.

    Before now, the distribution was done at INEC’s local government offices since the end of distribution at the polling unit level.

    The commission, at its meeting on January 8, said registered voters, who are yet to collect their cards, can now do so from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm daily.

    It also mandated RECs to set up effective monitoring strategies and ensure that the specified hours are strictly complied with by INEC staff.

  • Knocks for INEC as Nigerians can’t get voter cards

    Knocks for INEC as Nigerians can’t get voter cards

    Barely a month to the February 14 general elections, many of the more than 70 million Nigerians captured as eligible voters are still grappling with a major hurdle – to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) – without which they cannot vote. Managing Editor, Northern Operation, YUSUF ALLI, x-rays the politics of the PVC, challenges facing INEC and implications for the polls.

    The furore over the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) reached its peak on January 5, when President Goodluck Jonathan read the riot act to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega to ensure that all Nigerians have their voter cards on or before the 2015 poll begins on February 14.

    “To the chairman of INEC, luckily you are here, all Nigerians must get their voter cards, we cannot conduct an election where some people will not have the rights to vote…and INEC must do everything possible to make sure that all Nigerians have their voters’ cards because we cannot have a situation where some Nigerians will not vote that day,” Jonathan told the INEC chief.

    The President’s order was the climax of the nationwide protests against alleged irregularities in the distribution of the PVCs by INEC.

    Barely 36 days to the 2015 poll, many eligible voters, including former Heads of State, governors, and the downtrodden are still struggling to get the all-important PVCs.

     

    How electoral body

    opted for PVC

     

    The road to the introduction PVCs began after the filtration of the Voters Register. According to INEC, at the end of the general registration of voters in 2011, 73. 5 million eligible voters were captured, including the records of multiple registrants. But after the de-duplication with the Automated Fingerprint Identification Software (AFIS), the actual figure stood at 70,383,427 voters. The result of the 2011 presidential election showed valid votes of 39,469,484 96.81 with valid votes turnout of 53.7 per cent. The invalid votes were 1,259,506 3.19.

    Thereafter, INEC came up with a 10-year PVC system to eliminate multiple registrations, check rigging through ghost voters and feed the card with biometrics that would prevent impersonation at the polls.  In the beginning, Jega, who addressed an INEC/civil society dialogue,  said: “With the design of the card and specification, it will serve for an average of 10 years, as it could also be used for the 2019 elections. The electronic voters’ card would check people buying voters card,   eliminate multiple voting, electoral fraud and ensure credible and transparent polls.”

     

    Troubled timeline of PVC

     

    Based on INEC’s proposal, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), had in April 2012, awarded the contract for the printing of 40 million PVCs. The INEC’s ICT Director, Mr. Chidi Nwafor, had disclosed that the printing of the 40 million  PVCs would cost N2.6 billion and the production was expected to be handled by Art Technology Limited, with the technical partner “Obature” in France, at the cost of N65 per card. He also said INEC was working toward achieving the 40 million voter cards before the end of 2012 in the first phase of the distribution of the cards. Similarly in 2013, the contract for additional 33.5 million cards was awarded by the FEC.

    Speaking on the timeline, Jega said INEC would commence “the issuance of permanent voters’ card early in 2013, as the contract for the production of 40 million voters registered card out of the 73.5 million registered had been awarded. He said by the middle of last year, all the eligible voters who had registered would have been given their PVC’s.

    He said: “There are 73.5 million eligible voters but for the first phase we will print 40 million and another part of it for completion is in the budget for 2012.”

     

    Why Nigerians have to wait to get voter cards

     

    Several factors accounted for the delay in the distributing of the PVCs. They included: slow production of the cards which affected INEC distribution timelines; logistical challenges in delivery of the cards; disappearance of data in some polling units; high-level insecurity in some states; poor handling by some ad-hoc staff; apathy by some voters who had change residences among others.

    The immediate past Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in Lagos, Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola said: “The reason you could not find INEC officials at some polling units was that the data for those units no longer exist. We will be taking our machines to those polling units to re-register the residents, and two machines have been allocated for those units.”

    A top INEC director , who spoke in confidence with our correspondent on Thursday also said: “The truth is that we have been receiving the PVCs in batches. What we did was that instead of waiting for the whole cards, we decided to be distributing the cards piecemeal too. This was what accounted for the complaints by some eligible voters in some states.”

     

    Protests galore over shoddy distribution of cards

     

    If there is any issue that has stained the image of INEC, it is PVC distribution. From Lagos to Niger, Sokoto to Delta, there were complaints and fears of likely disenfranchisement of voters. The Chairman of Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) and Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu  said: “As I speak to you, myself, former military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, have not collected our PVCs.” He asked the nation to stop the use of PVCs in the coming polls.

    Also, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola said: “Honestly, as I said earlier, I have the Temporary Voter Card (TVC). On one hand, you say we should go and register again, but I have already registered, so why should I register again? It does not make any sense, because anyone can then say the governor registered twice.

    “I think INEC should stop hiding behind a finger and tell us truly what their reasons are. They have failed without any logical explanation   for it. The system can’t crash in part. If you store data in one place, it’s either you lose it or recover it. Where is the integrity of INEC if it is telling us that it does not have a data recovery system?

    “This is an exercise INEC told us they are going to be ready in August, then they moved it to September, then November and they still didn’t get it right. If people are feeling that this is a rigging plan, then we need to be careful and know if INEC is nurturing or threatening this democracy. INEC is giving Nigerians the impression that it is a referee with an interest. From the foundation of the election, the participants are saying this is already wrong and we may be heading for trouble.”

    On his part, Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun said: “This exercise has not started. It will hold on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Anything short of that is not acceptable to us in Ogun State. This is a mess as you can see yourself that people are complaining, it is everywhere.”

    The National Leader of the All Progressives Party (APC) and former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, also described the distribution process as shoddy.

    He said: “Just as we (APC) merged to form a formidable opposition party, they (INEC) have merged with Jonathan to form a formidable rigging machine. This exercise is a colossal failure.

    “INEC has the responsibility to give us a date when the exercise which they did. They were the ones that picked the date. On the eve of the exercise, they announced they could only carry out the exercise in 11 local government areas out of the 20 recognised by the Federal Government.

    “Rather than outright boycott, we endured the frustration and appealed to the public to participate. Our field report and personal experience indicated that the exercise in those 11 LGAs failed and it is unacceptable. In some instances, you didn’t find INEC and then in some they did not start on time. …to me, this exercise has failed, it is not acceptable, and we consider it as a rigging exercise. INEC has colluded with the presidency and the opposing party to rig the election from the data to the end.”

    Some protesters, under the aegis of Activists for Good Governance (AGG), The Nucleus Group, and TNG added their voice too. Speaking on behalf of the AGG, Comrade Declan Ihekaire said: “2015 is here already and any attempt to disenfranchise Nigerians will mark the beginning of action. What we see is that INEC is short of staff and you are already being nicknamed as trying to rig the election next year. INEC must ensure the PVCs get to the people and  they should not attempt to rig the election. Those in power know that there will be protest votes in 2015 and that is why they are trying to rig the election.”

     

    INEC chair disputes failure

     

    But Jega does not believe that the commission was lagging behind in the distribution of the PVCs. At a meeting with the  Special Representative of the United Nations  (UN) Secretary-General for West and Central Africa, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, the INEC chairman said the challenges experienced during the third phase of PVCs’ distribution and Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in some states were transient and do not threaten the Commission’s readiness to deliver superlative elections in 2015. He gave insights into what INEC had been doing.

    He said: “Since the 2011 elections, the Commission has devoted a lot of time and energy to keep on improving the processes and setting up policies and mechanisms that can help us have remarkably better elections in 2015. We’ve done quite a lot…Of course, there are challenges; and we have to acknowledge these challenges.

    “One of the key things we have done is that we have updated the register, we have cleaned it up and we have been working very hard to produce and distribute what the law says we should – Permanent Voter Cards. We have gone very far with this.

    “So far, we have produced PVCs and distributed them in 24 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and we have also done an update of the register in those states.

    “The last phase of the distribution of PVCs and updating the register was to cover the remaining 12 states. I must say with regret that we experienced some challenges in the production of those cards within our defined time schedules, and this has necessitated adjustment of the timeline for distribution of the cards.

    “Whereas we had wanted to distribute the cards within the same period in all the remaining 12 states, we now have to stagger it in order to ensure that we have all the cards before they are distributed. And, of course, people have been very anxious and many have been disappointed – not just by the change in the timetable for distribution of the cards but also by the logistical challenges and operational delays experienced in the field.

    “But these are minor challenges as far as we are concerned. We are absolutely sure that before the February elections, every validly registered Nigerian will have his / her PVC to be able to exercise their voting right. And we are doing everything possible to ensure that happens.”

     

    The PVC situation as at last week

     

    Records obtained from INEC on Thursday confirmed that the electoral body had issued  54,341,610 so far; distributed 38,774,391.00 in all the 36 states, representing (71.3 per cent) and had a balance of 15,567,219 to issue to eligible voters. The list is as follows:  Kano(2,771,185); Kaduna (2,643,517); Lagos (2,159,091); Katsina (1,965,840); Bauchi ( 1,509,255); Jigawa (1,460,620); Rivers (1,253,606); Sokoto (1,211,717);  Delta (1,260,728); Akwa Ibom (1,177,910); Oyo (1,141,405);  Benue (1,132,187); Niger (1,089,002) Plateau (1,072,352);  Kebbi (1,035,780) and Abia (1,020,601)

    Other states are Ekiti (481,198); Osun (992,310); Bayelsa ( 370,062);  Enugu (662,445); Gombe (802,959); Kogi (755,775); Taraba (921,637); Zamfara (925,302); Anambra (862,747); Cross River (763,436); Ebonyi (687,402); and FCT (411,935).

    The remaining distribution rates in other states are:  Kwara (670,694); Ondo (824,715); Yobe (740,336); Adamawa (912,312); Edo (930,276); Ogun (672,017); Nasarawa (799,991); and Imo (682,046).

     

     What next for INEC?

     

    Despite the misgivings, INEC has continued to demonstrate the optimistic that it could distribute PVCs to a large number of voters before the elections. The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chair, said: “We are working round the clock to ensure that all those who were registered collect their PVCs. We are hopeful that most of them will have their PVCs.

    “Eligible voters have up to January 31 to collect their PVCs. In fact, we are thinking of adding more days in February to enable Nigerians get these cards.

    “The Electoral Act only stipulates when INEC can display register of voters. There is no time-limit in law for the distribution of the PVCs.”

    Without much ado, it is obvious that INEC may not be able to distribute PVCs to all voters in line with Section 16 of the Electoral Act. The section says: “The commission shall design or cause to be printed and control the issuance of voters’ cards to voters whose names appear in the register. The commission may, whenever it considers it necessary, replace all or any voters’ cards for the time being held by voters.”

    There are four options before the electoral commission: to go ahead with the innovation of PVCs irrespective of those who might be disenfranchised or suspend the use of PVCs by allowing eligible voters to exercise their rights with the TVCs issued for the 2011 poll; and by allowing the acceptance of PVCs and TVCs during the February polls.

    The fourth alternative is to shift the poll until the PVCs are sorted out in order not to disenfranchise some Nigerians. Section 26 of the Electoral Act gives INEC liberty to exercise discretion in such emergencies.

    The Section reads: “Where a date has been appointed for the holding of an election and there is reason to believe that a serious breach of the peace is likely to occur if the election is proceeded with on that date or it is impossible to conduct elections as a result of natural disasters or other emergencies, the commission may postpone the election and shall in respect of the postponed election, provided that such reason for the postponement is cogent and verifiable.”

    An INEC within the electoral body said the commission will go ahead with the use of PVCs because the disenfranchisement might not substantially affect the outcome of elections at all levels. “We will not change our plans to use PVCs for the polls, we have gone far on this project to change our position,” the source added.

     

     Can legal action on pvc invalidate 2015 poll?

     

    Though INEC is adamant on the use of PVCs, it might face legal action from some smart politicians who might not be favoured by the outcome of the polls. Findings however revealed that those likely to be disenfranchised might not win such a matter because once the denial of voting right has no substantial effect on polls’ results, those affected may have no case. It was learnt that the Supreme Court had made a pronouncement on this type of electoral challenge in Bola Ige vs Victor Olunloyo, 1984 1 SC.

    An Abuja-based lawyer, Yoonus Abdulsalam, said: “The disenfranchisement of an eligible voter is an irregularity but to invalidate any election, the irregularity has to be substantial to warrant annulment.”

     

    Will electoral umpire survive poitics of PVC

     

    There may be no legal inhibitions against INEC for disenfranchising some eligible voters but the electoral commission may not be able to survive the attendant politics which such a shoddy exercise might attract. If the PVC problem overwhelms INEC at the last minutes, it can erode the confidence of Nigerians in the electoral umpire, affects its credibility, and it may make the outcome of the poll questionable. The ball is in Jega’s hands to guide INEC to ensure the success of the PVCs and deliver credible polls. Will INEC slump into the booby trap of “failure-seeking” politicians because of PVCs? Only time will tell.

  • INEC begins PVC distribution in Borno

    INEC begins PVC distribution in Borno

    The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) last Saturday started the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Borno State.

    The State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Tukur Sa’ad, told reporters in Maiduguri, the state capital, at the weekend that the distribution would hold from January 10 till January 19 with the Continuous Voter Cards.

    Sa’ad noted that the prevailing insecurity in the Northeast had compelled the commission to restrict the exercise to Maiduguri metropolis and Jere Local Government Area.

    The REC said the two exercises would hold at wards levels and at Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs’) camps in the areas.

    He said: “The issuance of the PVCs to registered voters and the CVR will take place in Maiduguri and Jere Local Government Area considered to be relatively safe for now. The exercise will last six days.

    “The PVCs will be issued based on the temporary voter card issued during the nationwide voter registration in 2010. PVC is like an ATM card that will not allow an individual to vote more than once in an election. The CVR is for individuals who have attained voter age or those whose names were missing in the voters register.”

  • Publish our names now or…, Anambra PDP candidates warn INEC

    All the three Senatorial, 11 House of Represenatives and 33 State House of Assembly candidates on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of giving undue advantage to opposition parties in Anambra State by its refusal to publish their names.

    According to the aggrieved PDP candidates, continued refusal of the electoral umpire to publish their names against court pronouncements was total disregard for court orders.

    In a statement signed by Chief Tony Offiah, Hon Julius Oforma and Princess Ifeyinwa Anazonwa yesterday in Abuja, they said INEC’s action was an invitaion to anarchy in the state.

    According to them, refusal to publish their names is capable of inciting their supporters against INEC which they may not be able to control.

    The aggrieved candidates said their protest against INEC was dictated by the pronouncement of S E Chukwu in his judgement in suit No. FHC/874/2014 that ordered the state’s executive committee, led by Ejike Oguebego, to conduct the party’s primary election.

    Besides, the candidates pointed out that INEC also declared it will participate, monitor and recognise only the congresses conducted by the Ejike Oguebego-led committee.

    The statement reads in part: “INEC had in a memo to the PDP national leadership, stated that it will only monitor the congresses of Ejike Oguebego-led Executive and that it will be guided by court order.

    “We wish to state that we were guided by the two factors before we took steps that informed our involvement and participation in the primary elections.”

    The aggrieved candidates pointed out that their participation and eventual victory in the primary election was based on the belief that INEC was set to follow due process and the rule of law.

    However, it was shocking that the electoral body’s position was affected by certain events, they said.

    They therefore urged the electoral body “to be law abiding and publish our names forthwith.”

  • INEC release names of Ondo PDP’s candidates

    The Ondo State government announced yesterday that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has published names of the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party for the national and state assembly electiions.

    Speaking in Akure, the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Kayode Akinmade gave the names of the senatorial candidates of the party published by the electoral body as Pastor Yele Omogunwa, (Ondo South), Senator Ayo Akinyelure,(Ondo Central), and Senator Bode Olajumoke(Ondo North).

     For the House of Representatives, he mentioned Michael Adenigba Akerele as candidate for Akoko North east and North west.

    Hon. Debo Ologunagba is the candidaten for Akoko South East and South West; Alhaja Munirat  Tinubu, (Owo-Ose constituency);Dare Aliu,( Akure North/South), Comrade Joseph Akinlaja,( Ondo east and west), Mr Victor Akinjo,( Ese Odo/ Ilaje), Dele Oshakuade,( Idanre/Ifedore), Hon. Mayo Akinfolarin,( Odigbo/Ile Oluji) and Omogbehin Adeniyi Michael, representing  Okitipupa/Irele among others.

  • INEC will no longer be tool in politicians’ hands- Edo REC

    EDO State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr Mike Igini, has described the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as a national institution committed to the conduct of free, fair and credible elections, adding that the commission will no longer be a tool in the hands of corrupt politicians. Speaking at the commissioning of the INEC Conference Hall in Calabar, Cross River State, Igini decried the lack of internal democracy in political parties in the country. “This year’s election will be a watershed, a paradigm shift that would bring about the hope of integrity and reliability unequalled in our electoral history. At all times, we strive to do what is right. “Our commitment to do the right thing was initially misunderstood, especially our emphasis on internal party democracy which is still a problem today, where parties do not even have a minimum requirement of credible register of delegates before conducting elections. “It is inconsiderable that INEC would conduct elections that would be acceptable by the Nigerian people without having a register of voters published. It is the foundation of any good elections,” he said.