The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ogun State has said it will begin the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards(PVC) from November 7.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Sam Olumekun, said the exercise would last three days.
He said registration of voters begins on November 12 and ends five days later in the 236 centres.
Olumekun urged parties, traditional rulers, the media and civil rights organisations to mobilise residents.
The French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Laurent Fabius, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to defend Nigeria and Africa’s image by conducting credible elections in 2015.
Fabius gave the advice when he and Germany’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Frank Seinmeier, led a delegation to a courtesy visit on the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, in Abuja on Monday.
Fabius said the delegation visited the commission because of INEC’s responsibility to conduct credible elections by 2015.
“We congratulate your institution for the way you handled general elections in 2011 and more recently the current elections.
“Now that new elections are coming next year, the challenge is tremendous. You have great responsibility towards Nigeria. The image of Nigeria is at stake and the image of Africa as well.
“We have no doubt that this election will be free, fair and transparent.
“European Union (EU) will contribute to it, financially and will also dispatch EU observation mission, ’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Fabius as saying during the visit.
He said the delegation was interested in knowing INEC’s preparation to face the security challenges because of the current situation, particularly the northern part of Nigeria.
“We are here to tell you that we have great confidence in what you are going and what you will do,’’ he said.
Also in his address, Seinmeier, tasked Nigeria to increase its efforts on ending insurgency ahead of the 2015 elections.
“You know that the elections you are preparing for are taking place under difficult conditions, fighting two enemies at a time.
“First of all, it was even until last week we were commenting on your effort and the success fighting Ebola.
“The second enemy we were talking about this morning during breakfast meeting with different religious organisations is the Boko Haram sect.
“Therefore we know that the fight against Boko Haram is not yet enough successful as over 200 girls are still kidnapped and not yet released,’’ he said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said yesterday that it would close down polling units in the homes of politicians and palaces in Imo State before the general elections.
Addressing reporters ahead of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) registration, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Selina Oko, said the commission would soon begin the creation of 150 polling units allocated to the state.
She said: “Imo State was given 150 polling units of the new 30,000 polling units. We are preparing to begin the allocation, but there are laid down procedures, which must be followed.”
THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will begin the second leg of distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) and conduct the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in Oyo State.
The second leg will be held in 19 local governments.
Resident Electoral Commissioner Nasir Ayilara said this at a stakeholders’ forum yesterday in Ibadan.
Ayilara said some of the affected local governments include Egbeda, Ibadan North East, Ibadan South East, Ibadan South West, Ibadan North, Lagelu and Ogbomoso South.
He said: “The second leg of distribution of the cards will hold on October 24-26 between 8am to 4pm daily. The continuous registration will be held October 29 and November 3.”
The Tiv in Taraba State yesterday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to suspend the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) and the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) scheduled for October 24 to 31.
President-General of the Tiv Cultural and Social Association James Nungwa told reporters in Jalingo that it would be risky to carry out the exercises in view of the insecurity in Southern and Central Taraba, where many residents have fled their homes.
He said the homes of some of the displaced persons were being occupied by their attackers.
Nungwa said: “I was shocked when INEC said security agencies, including the Police and the Department of State Security (DSS), said relative peace has returned to the affected areas in Taraba and that it has fixed October 24 to 26 for the issuance of PVCs and October 27 to 31 for CVR.
“Peace has not returned, particularly in Bali, Gassol, Ibi, Gashaka and Wukari local government areas. Thousands of our displaced people are registered voters in various wards in the crisis areas and were issued temporary voter cards to exercise their franchise in the 2011 general elections.
“It is sad that most of the people have been displaced and their property destroyed. In Bali and Gassol, for instance, some people who were not residents and registered voters presently occupy the homes of our people, who are displaced.
“Attempts by our people to return to their homes have met stiff resistance by the invaders, who are still attacking and killing our people in the most gruesome manner. Our people, who are the original inhabitants and registered voters, are taking refuge in camps within and outside the state.
“Contrary to the report that relative peace has returned and the exercises can go on as planned, the places are not yet safe for our people to return. We are also afraid that given the insecurity in the affected areas, it is not safe for INEC to carry out such exercises, which require the gathering of defenseless civilians, thereby risking their lives.
“Any attempt to conduct the exercise as scheduled will disenfranchise most of our people and we will stop at nothing to challenge the infringement on our rights.
“We urge the government to live up to its responsibility and restore permanent peace, not relative peace, in the areas and also chase the illegal occupants out of our homes.
“We call on INEC to temporarily suspend the exercises in Wukari, Ibi, Gassol, Gashaka and Bali, until normalcy returns. Just two days ago, there was an attack on Sondi and Gidinwaya in Wukari Local Government, where 25 persons were killed and their homes set ablaze.
“Fulani herdsmen are still attacking Tiv communities in Wukari, Ibi, Gassol, Bali, Gashaka and Donga local government areas, killing hundreds of people, destroying property, food stuff and displacing hundreds of thousands.”
“As responsible and peace loving people, we have chosen the path of dialogue to end the killings and displacement of our people. We believe that the primary responsibility of any responsible government is the protection of life and property and we followed the government patiently to achieve that, but to no avail.
“Even as we speak to you, the life of a Tiv man is not safe two kilometers outside Bali town, same for Gassol and Ibi local government areas.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano State is to deploy 10,000 ad-hoc workers for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Abdullahi Danyaya, told reporters in Kano yesterday that the distribution of PVC would hold from November 7 – 9 and the CVR from November 12 – 17.
Danyaya said arrangements had been concluded for the success of both exercises.
He said the ad-hoc workers were recruited from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), INEC staff and tertiary institutions.
Registered voters are to collect their PVCs at the centres where they registered in 2011.
The CVR is for those who recently turned 18 and those who registered earlier but whose names did not appear on the voter register.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will commence the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Lagos, Adamawa, Borno and ten other states on November 7.
INEC has insisted that only those with Permanent Voter Cards will be allowed to vote during the 2015 general elections.
The exercise, which is the third phase, according to INEC, is expected to end on Sunday, November 9.
Also, the commission has approved Continous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the third phase to begin on Thursday, November 13 and end on Monday, November 17.
The states involved are: Adamawa, Borno, Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Plateau and Rivers.
The commission had earlier conducted the distribution of PVCs and CVR exercise in twenty one states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Phases I and II.
The states are: Taraba, Gombe, Zamfara, Kebbi, Benue, Kogi, Abia, Enugu, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa (in phase I). Those in phase II are: Yobe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Sokoto, FCT, Kwara, Anambra, Ebonyi, Ondo, Oyo, Delta and Cross River.
The CVR provides opportunity for those who just turned 18years and also those who did not register during the last nationwide exercise.
Voters are expected to cross-check their names in the displayed voters’ register. Those who registered before but do not see their names in the displayed register are to re-register during the CVR exercise.
The CVR exercise, according to the commission, “is not for those who wish to transfer. Those wishing to transfer should write to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in their new states of domicile, well before the election, as no transfer will be approved less than 30 days to the election.”
For those who have lost their cards or whose cards are damaged, the electoral body stated that they may apply for them to be replaced by writing to the REC through the INEC electoral officer of the local government Area where they registered for their replacement well before the election.
INEC also reiterated that no replacement will be approved and no new card will be issued less than 30 days to the election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the distribution of Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) will resume in 13 states of the federation between November 7 and November 9.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, INEC also said that there would be Continuous Voter’s Registration (CVR) in the affected states from November 13 to 17.
According to the statement, the affected states are to be covered under phase three of the exercise.
It listed the states as Adamawa, Borno, Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Plateau and Rivers.
The commission advised voters in the states to check their names in the displayed voters’ registers as only those with Permanent Voter‘s Cards would be allowed to vote during the 2015 general elections.
It added that those who registered earlier but did not see their names in the displayed register were to re-register during the continuous voter’s registration.
“The CVR is not for those who wish to transfer.
“Those wishing to transfer should write to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in their new states of domicile, well before the election.
“No transfer will be approved less than 30 days to the election,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the commission as saying in the statement.
INEC stated those that had lost their cards or whose cards were damaged might apply for replacement.
“This can be done by writing to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) through the INEC Electoral Officer of the local government area where they registered for their replacement, well before the election.
“No replacement will be approved and no new card will be issued less than 30 days to the election,’’ it stated.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged youths to participate in governance to deepen democracy in the country.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Lagos, Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola, said youths must participate for Nigeria to have a better future.
He spoke during a leadership summit in Yaba, Lagos, organised by Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative (CYFI), a group supported by the United States’ Consulate-General.
Ogunmola, who was represented by the INEC’s Head of Department, Voter Education, Publicity, Gender and Civil Society Organisations, Mrs. Ijeoma Okey-Igbokwe, recalled that their involvement in 2011 elections assisted the commission to achieve better results.
He said: “The youth corps members and final tertiary year students who were used as electoral officers had no grant from the government. So, they did the job well and the commission had no regret using them.
“We are not paying their school fees. So, they didn’t have any reason to manipulate the result in favour of anybody. They made us proud and gave the country what it needed. The elections went well and next year must be better.”
A fellow of the CYFI, Mr. Ebenezer Ogun, said there is the need to encourage political education among youths.
he said: “The youths need to understand certain issues revolving round governance, to show that we are the leaders of today. We must be involved in the electoral process in relation to next year’s elections.The youths should not only be concerned about entertainment, fashion and fun on the social media, but they must engage in politics,” he said.
The Chief Operating Officer, Impact Your World Leadership Initiative, Mr. Joseph Baiyekusi, said the social media could help the youths and the government to play their role in national development.
“This can be achieved, if our leaders communicate their plans and activities on the social media and other communication technology media, with the aim of carrying the youths along,” he added.
The Executive Director, Human Development Initiatives, Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, urged youths to use the advamntage of technology productively for the progress of the society.
•Lawmakers begin voting on proposed amendments to 1999 constitution
All Progressives Congress (APC) members in the House of Representatives yesterday thwarted an attempt to reverse the House decision granting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the power to deploy troops during elections.
The opposition members stood resolutely against the motion for the reversal.
The lawmakers, in the latest proposed amendments to the 2010 Electoral Act, voted in support of Clause 29(1), which empowers INEC to request the deployment of troops, only when it considers same necessary during elections.
The amendment reads: “Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law and for purposes of securing the vote, the commission (INEC) shall be responsible for requesting the deployment of relevant security personnel necessary for elections or registration of voters and shall assign them in the manner determined by the commission in consultation with the relevant security agencies.
“Provided that the commission shall only request the deployment of the Nigerian Armed Forces only for the purpose of securing the distribution and delivery of election materials and protection of election officials.”
But House Deputy Leader Leo Ogor sought to compel the House to reverse itself on the power granted to INEC as the sole authority to request deployment of military during elections.
The motion, titled: “Rescission Pursuant to Order 9, Rule 57 (6) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives on the Decision taken in the Committee of the Whole to Retain Clause 28 (1) (b) in the Proposed Amendment to Section 29(1) of the Principal Act (Electoral Act, 2010).”
Ogor said the provisions of Section 217 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states that there shall be the Armed Forces for the federation, which functions by virtue of Section 217 (2c).
The lawmaker said this includes suppressing insurrection and acting in aid of civil authorities to restore order when called upon to do so by the President, but subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.
He noted that the provisions of Section 218 (1) of the Constitution give the President the powers, as the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, for the operational use of the Armed Forces.
But House Minority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila, citing Order 8(50 and 51) and 9(57, sub (6), argued that the motion by Ogor was baseless because it had been passed previously by members.
According to him, Ogor’s motion did not meet the conditions needed for a decision of the House to be rescinded.
Speaker Aminu Tambuwal ruled Gbajabiamila out of order, saying the order he cited was inapplicable and that Ogor should proceed with his argument because he met the conditions needed to move his motion.
When the issue was put to vote, it was negated with the opposition coming from members of the APC.
Also, members will today, in the Committee of the Whole, begin a clause-by-clause voting on 71 harmonised proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution.
Tambuwal announced the decision of the House at plenary yesterday after Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha and Chairman of the House committee on the Ad Hoc Committee on the Review of the Constitution, presented the report of the conference committee on the bill for an act to further alter the provisions of the 1999 constitution (as amended).
The Speaker advised state caucus leaders in the House to mobilise their members for the voting on the amendments.
He said the lawmakers should begin to lobby their counterpart in state Assemblies to approve the National Assembly’s proposed amendments to the 1999 constitution.
Tambuwal said: “I, therefore, ask that all of us should act as advocates and lobbyists to the Houses of Assembly to approve what we have passed here.
“I will also plead with all of us to be here tomorrow for the voting. I also plead with state caucus leaders to get across to their members to be here tomorrow so that they can vote on the amendments.”
Yesterday’s plenary also saw a member, Mohammed Bashir Galadanchi, representing Gwale Federal Constituency in Kano State, defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
The Speaker read his letter of defection on the floor of the House.