Tag: Inec

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over delays in conducting bye-elections for vacant legislative seats at both the state and national levels, as mandated by the Electoral Act. 

The House directed its Committee on Electoral Matters to summon INEC leadership for a detailed explanation of the reasons behind the delay and the measures being taken to address the situation. 

This decision followed a motion by Jafaru Leko (APC, Bauchi), who emphasized the need for INEC to fulfill its constitutional duty.

Leading the debate, Leko noted that INEC, established under Section 153(f) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), is solely responsible for conducting elections at the federal, state, and local levels, including Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory.

According to him, sections 47 and 90 of the Constitution, (as amended), outline the establishment of the National Assembly and the State Houses of Assembly, ensuring the right of citizens to be represented in the federal and state legislative bodies.

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He said: “Since the 2023 general and subsequent elections, there have been instances of resignations, deaths, appointments, or appointments of former members of both the National and State Assemblies to executive positions.

“Section 68 of the Constitution provides for the cessation and vacation of seats of the National Assembly, whereas section 76(2) stresses the need for a bye-election to be conducted not later than one month after the vacancy occurs.

“Upon the declaration of these seats as vacant, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is obligated, under the provisions of Section 76(2), to conduct bye-elections to fill the vacant positions and ensure proper representation of the affected constituencies.

“Nigeria practices a constitutional democracy that the continued vacancy of these seats, without the holding of timely bye-elections results in the disenfranchisement of the affected, citizens, which constitutes a violation of the constitutional principles of representation and deprives the electorates of their right to adequate representation.

“The delay in conducting the bye-elections for the vacant seats is a contravention of the constitutional provision, a breach of the due process, and denial of the affected constituencies’ proper representation.

“This Electoral inaction from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) violates the principles of democracy and representative governance, leaving citizens unrepresented, and also obstructs legislative activities, as Committees and Plenary Sessions lack full participation from duly elected members.”

He said this Electoral inaction sets a dangerous precedent, where compliance with the Constitution and electoral laws become optional rather than mandatory. 

The Anambra South Concerned Citizens, led by Ikechukwu Nwosu, has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Assembly demanding urgent action to fill the vacant senatorial seat in their constituency.

In a letter addressed to the INEC Chairman, with copies sent to the Senate President, the Clerk of the National Assembly, and traditional institutions within the constituency, the group expressed deep dissatisfaction over the prolonged vacancy following the passing of the late Senator, Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah on July 27, 2024.

Highlighting the implications of the delay, the petitioners noted that Anambra South, which comprises seven local government areas—Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Aguata, Orumba North, Orumba South, Ihiala, and Ekwusigo—has been without representation in the Senate for over 180 days. They described the situation as a gross disenfranchisement of their people, an act of political negligence, and a blatant disregard for democratic principles.

Nwosu said:  “This has been far more than one hundred and eighty (180) days since the unfortunate passing of our distinguished Senator, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah. The people of Anambra South have been left without a voice in the Senate, and we can no longer condone this impunity. We will not accept another four months without a representative at the Red Chambers. This political carelessness must stop.” He further emphasised the far-reaching consequences of the prolonged vacancy, warning that it has left the region voiceless on crucial national matters.

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“Without a senator to represent us, the voices of Anambra South remain unheard on key national issues, including budgetary allocations, legislative deliberations, and policies that impact our region. This is a deliberate political exclusion that should not be tolerated. We have waited long enough, and we demand action. The electorate of Anambra South must be given their democratic right to choose a new representative without further delay,” he said.

Nwosu described the situation as “a dangerous precedent that undermines democracy and fair representation.”

“This is not just about politics; this is about governance and accountability. Our people deserve to have a voice in shaping policies and decisions that affect their lives. The continuous delay in holding a by-election is an outright violation of our rights,” he added.

The group called on INEC and the National Assembly to act swiftly in conducting a by-election to fill the vacancy, stressing that Anambra South must regain its place in national legislative affairs. They urged the authorities to uphold democratic principles and ensure that the constituency is no longer left without representation.

…proposes cash limit at polling units

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on the National Assembly to enact stricter laws prohibiting the possession of large sums of money within polling areas as part of efforts to curb vote-buying and other electoral malpractices.

Speaking at a consultative meeting with security operatives and the technical committee on electoral law amendments in Abuja on Friday, INEC’s Director of Litigation and Prosecution, Tanimu Muhammed, highlighted the growing concern over vote-buying, which has become a major threat to Nigeria’s democratic process.

The meeting, organized by the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss electoral security and legal reforms.

The INEC representative noted that politicians often justify carrying large amounts of cash on election day by citing party agent payments and logistical expenses. 

However, he warned that unrestricted cash circulation at polling units has fueled vote-buying and compromised the integrity of elections.

To address this challenge, Muhammed suggested that individuals should not be allowed to carry more than ₦50,000 within polling areas.

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“Vote-buying remains one of the biggest threats to credible elections in Nigeria. We need legislation that not only criminalizes this practice but also puts preventive measures in place,” Muhammed stated.

Ondo Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, emphasized that reducing cash transactions at polling units would make it harder for politicians to influence voters with financial inducements.

“If we set a cash limit, security agencies will have clearer guidelines on what constitutes an electoral offense, making enforcement easier,” she added.

The commission urged lawmakers to prioritize amendments that would close loopholes exploited by political actors.

Beyond vote-buying, the INEC official reiterated their long-standing demand for the establishment of an Electoral Offenses Commission, arguing that the electoral body lacks the capacity to effectively prosecute offenders.

“INEC is doing its best to handle prosecutions, but we need a dedicated institution with the legal authority and resources to investigate and prosecute electoral crimes comprehensively,” Muhammed stated.

“The creation of an Electoral Offenses Commission would ensure that vote-buying, ballot snatching, and other crimes are met with swift legal action,” he added.

In response to INEC’s concerns, security agencies at the meeting reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring free and fair elections. However, they acknowledged challenges, particularly in logistics and coordination.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of election planning and evaluation, Abayomi Shogunle, who represented the Inspector General of Police, pointed out that inadequate resources often hamper law enforcement efforts during elections.

“We face major logistical challenges, from deploying officers to remote areas to ensuring real-time communication during elections. These are issues that need to be addressed if we are to effectively enforce electoral laws,” Shogunle said.

Despite these challenges, security agencies pledged to remain neutral and professional in carrying out their duties.

Responding to the concerns raised, the Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Hon. Adebayo Balogun, assured that all issues discussed would be addressed in future electoral reforms.

He announced plans for a 2025 Electoral Act to replace the current 2022 version, which he said had exposed gaps during the 2023 elections.

“The 2022 Electoral Act was a significant step forward, but its implementation in the last general elections showed areas that need improvement. We are committed to strengthening our electoral laws to reflect the realities of our democracy,” Balogun said.

He emphasized that, apart from legislative reforms, there was a need for increased awareness among political parties, INEC officials, and civil society organizations on the dangers of vote-buying and other electoral malpractices.

“The Nigerian people deserve an electoral process they can trust. We must ensure that our laws are not just strong on paper but are also effectively enforced,” Balogun added.

The Senate Chairman on Electoral Matters, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, noted that while the 2022 Electoral Act was initially considered comprehensive, its implementation revealed gaps that must be closed.

“This meeting is a step towards strengthening our electoral system. The reforms we propose must reflect lessons learned from past elections and ensure that our democracy continues to evolve positively,” Alli said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Gwadabawa Local Government Area office in Sokoto State has been destroyed by fire. 

The fire incident which led to the loss of several items was said to have started as a result of a power surge from public power supply. 

A statement from the INEC reads: “At its regular weekly meeting held on Thursday 13th February 2025, the Commission took note of a sad incident of fire outbreak in our Gwadabawa Local Government Area office in Sokoto State as reported by the Administrative Secretary in charge of the State office, Mrs. Hauwa Aliyu Kangiwa.

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“The fire started in the early hours of the morning on Tuesday 11th February 2025. The entire building was damaged. 

“Items destroyed include furniture and fixtures as well as movable electoral facilities, among them 558 ballot boxes, 186 voting enclosures (cubicles), 186 election bags and various Registration Area Centre (RAC) materials such as 12 large water tanks (1,000 litres), 400 sleeping mats and 300 plastic buckets.

“Preliminary report from our State office indicates that there was a sudden surge from public power supply before the incident. However,  the actual cause of the fire outbreak is being investigated by the security and safety agencies which have deployed their personnel to the facility. No injuries or fatalities were recorded.

“The Commission is making an effort to find an alternative temporary facility in the Local Government Area so that our activities are not completely disrupted”.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is seeking the collaboration of security agencies under the Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security to stop vote buying during party primaries and general elections.

Speaking at the first quarterly meeting with security agencies for 2025, Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu while a lot has been achieved in efforts at stopping vote buying, much work still needs to be done.

Prof Yakubu said: “There is of course a lot of work to do, especially in combating vote buying. The Commission is happy with our collaboration with the law enforcement agencies, particularly the anti-graft agencies.

“Beyond the arrest of vote buyers on Election Day, our active partnership has so far resulted in the successful prosecution of some offenders in three States of the Federation. As you are aware, the problem also manifests itself during the party primaries for the election of candidates.

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“In the same way that voters are targeted at Polling Units on Election Day, so too is delegate-buying at the venues of congresses and conventions for the election of candidates.

“As you can see from the Timetable and Schedule of Activities included in your folders for this meeting, party primaries for the Anambra State Governorship election begin next month, followed by the Area Council election in the FCT in June.

“We should continue to work together in partnership with other critical stakeholders to address the menace.”

The INEC Chairman said the Commission is also preparing for bye-elections to fill vacancies in the National and State legislative houses, saying “as you are aware, nine bye-elections were conducted last year. Since then, 16 more vacancies have occurred in 12 States of the Federation involving two Senatorial Districts, five Federal Constituencies for election to the House of Representatives, and nine State Assembly Constituencies.

“In due course, the Commission will make the delimitation details available to you to guide your operational deployment for forthcoming elections. This will include the detailed locations of the Polling Units, the Registration Area Centres, the Wards, Local Government, and State collation centres.

“As usual, we will also provide you with information on the terrain, including difficult land and riverine locations. We will also make available to you our preliminary assessment of the security situation that may warrant your special attention.

“Our experience in the management of logistics during the last Ondo State Governorship election provides the template for future elections. Better coordination in the deployment of security and electoral officials contributed to the early commencement of polls and peaceful conduct of the election, despite the challenging terrain, especially in the riverine areas.

“The forthcoming Governorship election in Anambra State must be similarly well coordinated. Together, we should continue to give Nigerians a happy experience on Election Day and beyond”.

Director of Internal Security, in the office of the National Security Adviser, Hassan Yahaya Abdullahi said the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu appreciates the security agencies, as well as INEC, for the marked improvement in security recorded during the Edo and Ondo States Off cycle Governorship elections.

He said: “The polls witnessed seamless cooperation between the security agencies, which facilitated quick response to incidents that would have significantly disrupted the exercise.

“There was also the deployment of technology, especially drones and communication systems, as well as improved surveillance and coordination, which accounted for the timely response to incidents.

“Though the voter turnout across the two States was not as envisaged, the conduct of the electorates was impressive, albeit a few incidents of voter agitations over delayed commencement of the exercise in some polling Units, due to logistics constraints.

“Therefore, moving forward, the NSA has assured that the lessons learned from the isolated incidents recorded during the Edo and Ondo polls will be vital in refining security strategies, ahead of the forthcoming bye-elections in some parts of the Country, including the Governorship election in Anambra State, scheduled for 25th November later this year”.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday told the dismissed Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa Ari, to prove his innocence at a competent court of law. where is being tried for allegedly upsetting the electoral process during the 2023 governorship election in the state.

Ari, who INEC is currently prosecuting for alleged electoral offences, told reporters at the weekend in Bauchi that he had evidence that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed (popularly called Binani) won the governorship election in Adamawa State.

The former REC had declared Binani winner of the election when the rerun was still going on. He left the state, claiming that his life was in danger.

But INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olimekun, told The Nation that the commission would not comment on Ari’s allegations because his case is currently in the court.

Olimekun said: “In response to your request, our attention has also been drawn to the interview granted by the former REC of Adamawa State, Mr. Hudu Yunusa Ari. There is nothing new in what he said.

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“In any case, the substantive matter of the 2023 Adamawa State governorship election has been determined through the appropriate judicial process from the trial tribunal to the appeal tribunal and finally settled by the Supreme Court.

“The commission will not comment on the propriety or otherwise of his conduct during the concluding part of the election, as the matter is right now the subject of litigation at the High Court sitting in Yola and, therefore, sub judice.

“Now that he is back in the country, the right place to prove his innocence and the propriety of his action is by availing himself the due process of law and not a press conference.”

The Senate recently approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to sack Ari and two other RECs.