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Tag: Inec

  • Court orders INEC to recognise Imumolen as Accord Party chairman

    Court orders INEC to recognise Imumolen as Accord Party chairman

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Prof. Chris Imumolen as the National Chairman of the Accord Party.

    On Friday, Hon. Justice M.M. Adamu granted an ex-parte order in favor of Imumolen, restraining the defendants from parading themselves as the National Executive Committee of the Accord Party. 

    Read Also: INEC concludes wards PVCs’ distribution, moves to 18 councils

    The court also directed that mumolen be recognised as the legitimate National Chairman of the party.

    It also prohibited the defendants from conducting any state and local government congresses pending the determination of the substantive suit before the court.

     The ruling effectively puts Imumolen in charge of the party’s affairs until the court makes a final decision on the matter.

     Imumolen’s recognition comes after his counsel filed a prayer on August 26, 2024, seeking the court’s intervention in the leadership dispute within the Accord Party. 

  • INEC concludes wards PVCs’ distribution, moves to 18 councils

    INEC concludes wards PVCs’ distribution, moves to 18 councils

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has concluded the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) that arose from the recently-conducted Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) at the ward level, thereby turning to the 18 local government areas of Edo State.

    According to INEC, of the 184,438 new PVCs available, 125,928 cards were collected by voters, representing 68.3 per cent of the total, the highest percentage of PVCs collected in five days since the commission introduced the CVR ahead of off-cycle governorship elections in 2015.

    INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, yesterday disclosed that the commission carefully packaged all the PVCs by poling units, wards and LGAs.

     He also revealed that INEC produced the collection register, providing details of the voters, whose cards were ready for collection and uploaded the same to its website.

    Olumekun said: “As earlier announced by the commission, PVCs from the recent CVR in Edo state would be available for collection at two levels. First, across all the 192 wards from Thursday, 22nd to Monday, 26th August, 2024. Secondly, in our 18 LGA offices.

    “The commission is pleased to announce the conclusion of the collection at ward level. Learning from the lessons of the previous collection of PVCs, the commission has carefully packaged all the PVCs by polling units, wards and LGAs.

    Read Also: Nigeria has 10m voters more than all ECOWAS countries, says INEC Chairman

    “We contacted the owners of the PVCs, using the addresses provided at the time of registration. As a result, out of the 184,438 new PVCs available, 125,928 cards were collected by voters, representing 68.3 per cent of the total. This is the highest percentage of PVCs collected in five days since the commission introduced the CVR, ahead of off-cycle governorship elections in 2015.

     “A detailed breakdown of the collection by LGAs has been uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information. The collection will resume in our 18 LGA offices in Edo state from 28th August, 2024 and end on 8th September, 2024.”

    The national commissioner of INEC also urged the remaining voters to pick their PVCs in person from the commission’s LGAs’ offices, while insisting that it maintained its policy that no card would be collected by proxy, adding that detailed information on the locations of INEC’s LGA offices was already available on the commission’s website.

  • INEC to conduct mock accreditation

    INEC to conduct mock accreditation

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is to conduct a mock accreditation exercise in your test run facilities for the September 21 off-cycle governorship election in Edo State.

    The exercise scheduled for Tuesday, September 10, 2024, will take place in 12 designated polling units across the three senatorial zones from 8.30 am to 2.30 pm.

    A statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun said the exercise is part of preparations for the successful conduct of the election.

    He said the commission was test-running the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and result upload to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal for the election using live voters in select locations in the State.

    Read Also: FIRS establishes anti-corruption unit to combat corruption

    The statement reads: “For this purpose, the Commission has designated 12 Polling Units across six Local Government Areas (LGAs) covering the three Senatorial Districts of the State as centres for the mock accreditation.

    “In Edo Central, the exercise will take place in Eguare Primary School, Eguare 1, and Uwenujie Primary School, Uwenujie, in Esan Central LGA, as well as Eguare Primary School 1, Ewohimi, and Eguare Okhuesan (former L. A. School 1), Emu, in Esan Southeast LGA.

    “In Edo North, Usokwi Iyogbe Azama Primary School, Yeluwa, and the polling unit at Institute of Continuing Education Road, Auchi, in Etsako West LGA are the designated centres while Uhonmwora Owere Primary School, Uhonmwora-Ora, and Holy Trinity Grammar School, Sabongidda-Ora, will serve as centres in Owan West LGA.

    “In Edo South, Western Boys’ High School 1 and Ologbosere Primary School 1 are the designated centres in Ikpoba Okha LGA while Idia College I and Payne Primary School 1 will serve as centres for Oredo LGA.

  • Nigeria has 10m voters more than all ECOWAS countries, says INEC Chairman

    Nigeria has 10m voters more than all ECOWAS countries, says INEC Chairman

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has said Nigeria has over 10 million registered voters more than the other 14 countries in the West Africa sub-region.

    Prof. Yakubu, who spoke when he hosted the EU Ambassador and Head of the union’s delegation to Nigeria and West Africa, Ambassador Samuela Isopi, said while the other 14 countries have a total registered voters of 74 million, Nigeria has over 93 million registered voters as at last year’s general election.

    He noted that while the commission registered about 119,000 voters in Edo and about 55,000 in Ondo during the last Continuous Voter Registration, Ghana only registered about 70,000 during its last CVR.

    The INEC boss said the commission would continue to work in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to improve the nation’s electoral process and deepen democracy in the country.

    Read Also: Nigeria has 10m more voters than all ECOWAS countries, says INEC chairman

    Yakubu said conducting a general election in Nigeria was like holding an election for the whole of West Africa and part of Central Africa.

    He added: “There are 74 million registered voters in West Africa. In 2023, we have 93 million registered workers in Nigeria, which is almost 10 million more than the other 14 countries put together.

    “So, each time Nigerians go to the polls, it’s like conducting elections for the whole of West Africa and part of Central Africa.

    “In fact, recently, the Electoral Commission in Ghana conducted the equivalent of what we call the Continuous Voter Registration. In Ghana, they call it a mock-up to enable citizens who have come of age or those who could not register for one reason or another in the past to register.”

  • Nigeria has 10m more voters than all ECOWAS countries, says INEC chairman

    Nigeria has 10m more voters than all ECOWAS countries, says INEC chairman

    Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said that Nigeria has over 10 million registered voters more than the other 14 countries in the West Africa sub region. 

    Prof Yakubu, who spoke when the EU Ambassador and Head of the Union’s Delegation to Nigeria and West Africa, Amb. Samuela Isopi visited the commission, said while the other 14 countries have a total registered voters of 74 million, Nigeria has over 93 million registered voters as at the 2023 general elections. 

    He said while the commission registered about 119,000 voters in Edo and about 55,000 in Ondo during the last Continuous Voter Registration, Ghana only registered about 70,000 during its last CVR

    The INEC boss said the commission will continue to work in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to improve the nation’s electoral process and deepen democracy in the country. 

    Yakubu said conducting a general election in Nigeria was like holding an election for the whole of West Africa and part of Central Africa, saying “there are 74 million registered voters in West Africa. In 2023, we have 93 million registered workers in Nigeria, which is almost 10 million more than the other 14 countries put together.

    “So each time Nigerians go to the polls, it’s like conducting elections for the whole of West Africa and part of Central Africa.

    “In fact, recently, the Electoral Commission in Ghana conducted the equivalent of what we call the Continuous Voter Registration. In Ghana, they call it a mock-up to enable citizens who have come of age or those who could not register for one reason or another in the past to register.

    “One of the targets of the Electoral Commission in Ghana was to register 70,000 new voters nationwide. But here, in the last Continuous Voter Registration in Edo State alone, we registered 119,000 new voters. The additional 55,000 in Ondo State, put together, we registered 177,000. Three times more than what our colleagues in Ghana hoped to register under their own CVR,” he said.

    He recalled the good working relationship with the EU as he personally worked with Santiago Pisas who was Head of the EU delegation and observation mission to Nigeria in 2015.

    Isopi, who will be leaving the country after the end of her tenure on Friday, said supporting democracy in Africa and West Africa now was more important than ever given the backsliding bein witnessed in many parts of the region. 

    Read Also: INEC to conduct mock accreditation exercise for Edo election

    She described Nigeria as the largest democracy on the African continent and  one of the largest democracies, stating the EU knows how important it was to continue to support the country in its journey towards the strengthening of her democracy.

    “All democracies in the world, including our own, face challenges. The journey is not necessarily always in one direction. We all face these challenges. And we have an interest in working together to see how we can strengthen democracy because strengthening democracy in Europe, strengthening democracy in Nigeria means strengthening democracy worldwide.

    “We know how important the example that Nigeria can give to other countries here. As I said, I think we have gone a long way. Maybe not everything is perfect, but even elsewhere, many things are not perfect. 

    “I couldn’t leave without saying a farewell visit to Mr. Chairman and without saying a farewell visit to INEC which is part, as you know, of the European Union’s main partner here in Nigeria,” Isopi noted.

  • INEC to conduct mock accreditation exercise for Edo election

    INEC to conduct mock accreditation exercise for Edo election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is to conduct a mock accreditation exercise to test run facilities for the September 21 off-cycle governorship election in Edo state.

    The exercise scheduled for Tuesday, September 10, will take place in 12 designated polling units across the three senatorial zones from 8.30 am to 2.30 pm.

    A statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun said the exercise is part of preparations for the successful conduct of the election.

    He said the Commission was test-running the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and result upload to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal for the election using live voters in select locations in the State.

    Read Also; Gov Sani flags off 21km road rural road abandoned for two decades

    The statement said: “For this purpose, the Commission has designated 12 Polling Units across six Local Government Areas (LGAs) covering the three Senatorial Districts of the State as centres for the mock accreditation.

    “In Edo Central, the exercise will take place in Eguare Primary School, Eguare 1, and Uwenujie Primary School, Uwenujie, in Esan Central LGA as well as Eguare Primary School 1, Ewohimi, and Eguare Okhuesan (Former L. A. School 1), Emu, in Esan South East LGA.

    “In Edo North, Usokwi Iyogbe Azama Primary School, Yeluwa, and the polling unit at Institute of Continuing Education Road, Auchi, in Etsako West LGA are the designated centres while Uhonmwora Owere Primary School, Uhonmwora-Ora, and Holy Trinity Grammar School, Sabongidda-Ora, will serve as centres in Owan West LGA.

    “In Edo South, Western Boys’ High School 1 and Ologbosere Primary School 1 are the designated centres in Ikpoba Okha LGA while Idia College I and Payne Primary School 1 will serve as centres for Oredo LGA.

    “The mock exercise will be held on Tuesday 10th September 2024 at the designated Polling Units from 8.30 am to 2.30 pm.

    “A graphic image containing the names and locations of the centres has been uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information.

    “The Commission appeals to registered voters to come out with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for the exercise. Please note that only registered voters for the designated polling units are invited to participate in the exercise. No voter from another polling unit can be accredited by the BVAS.”

  • ‘INEC is ready for Edo gov election on Sept 21’

    ‘INEC is ready for Edo gov election on Sept 21’

    The Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s), Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Sam Olumekun, has disclosed that the commission was ready for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, to be contested by candidates of 16 political parties.

    Olumekun, a National Commissioner of INEC, who spoke yesterday in Benin at a media engagement, was represented by the Chief Press Secretary to the chairman of the commission, Rotimi Oyekanmi.

    Read Also: Supreme Court okays Diri, Ododo, Uzodinma’s election as Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo governors

    He said: “INEC is committed to conducting free, fair, and credible governorship election in Edo State. We rely on your (journalists’) partnership to achieve this goal. Your role is not only to report events, but also to hold all stakeholders, including INEC, accountable, and ensure that the electoral process remains transparent and unbiased.

    “As we move forward, let us remember the importance of accuracy, fairness, and responsibility in our coverage. Together, we can uphold the democratic principles that are fundamental to our nation’s progress and prosperity.

  • INEC ready for Edo governorship election – Olumekun

    INEC ready for Edo governorship election – Olumekun

    The Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC), chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Sam Olumekun, has disclosed that the commission was ready for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, to be contested by candidates of 16 political parties.

    Olumekun, a national commissioner of INEC, who spoke on Friday, August 23, in Benin at a media engagement, was represented by the chief press secretary to the chairman of the commission, Rotimi Oyekanmi.

    He said: “INEC is committed to conducting free, fair, and credible governorship election in Edo State. We rely on your (journalists’) partnership to achieve this goal. Your role is not only to report events, but also to hold all stakeholders, including INEC, accountable, and ensure that the electoral process remains transparent and unbiased.

    “As we move forward, let us remember the importance of accuracy, fairness, and responsibility in our coverage. Together, we can uphold the democratic principles that are fundamental to our nation’s progress and prosperity.

    “Thank you for your dedication to ethical journalism and commitment to serving the public interest. Let us work hand in hand to make the Edo State governorship election a shining example of democracy in action. I look forward to our continued collaboration.”

    The chairman of IVEC in INEC also stated that in an era of misinformation and fake news, journalists’ role as gatekeepers of factual information was critical.

    He said: “It is through your (journalists’) dedication to truth and accuracy that voters are protected from misleading narratives that could compromise the integrity of the elections.

    Read Also: INEC confirms death of Ogun REC Ijalaye in Abuja

    “We commenced distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) on August 22, 2024, at all the 192 wards across Edo State. The collection is strictly in person and not by proxy. The exercise will go on till September 8, 2024, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, including the weekends.

    “We will distribute at the ward level till August 26, 2024, after that, the collection will continue in our 18 Local Government Area offices across Edo State from August 28, 2024, to September 8, 2024.”

    Olumekun also stated that INEC had developed a register containing among other information, the names and photographs of the voters to ease the collection of their PVCs, while the register had also been uploaded to our website to facilitate easy identification and collection of the cards.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in Edo, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, who was represented by the Administrative Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbodu, a lawyer, while earlier speaking, stated that the electoral commission and the media needed to be on the same page, to ensure a successful governorship election in Edo on September 21.

    Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo state council, Festus Alenkhe, in his remarks, stressed that the media must hold INEC accountable, to conduct a peaceful, free, and fair governorship poll in Edo, to elect a credible politician that would succeed Governor Godwin Obaseki on November 12 this year.

  • JUST IN: Ogun INEC REC slumps, feared dead in Abuja

    JUST IN: Ogun INEC REC slumps, feared dead in Abuja

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) in Ogun State, Barrister Niyi Ijalaye has been feared dead.

    The Ogun REC reportedly slumped and died in Abuja on Monday evening after a meeting of RECs at the Commission’s headquarters.

    The cause of his death is yet unknown.

    It was gathered that Barrister Ijalaye had returned to his hotel room after the meeting before the incident happened.

    It was further disclosed that the Ondo-born administrator, who was lively throughout the commission’s meeting, retired to a hotel in the Federal Capital Territory before his death.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Oyo APC chairman Omodewu feared dead

    The meeting, according to the remarks of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission,  Prof Mahmood Yakubu which was posted on the verified timeline of the commission on Facebook, focused on two off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States, and seven vacant positions in the National and State Assemblies.

    Barrister Niyi  Ijalaye who was dressed in a blue striped Kaftan with a red cap was seen in one of the pictures posted by the commission on its timeline during the meeting.

    Barrister Ijalaye was posted to Ogun State in March 2022 following the transfer of Olusegun Agbaje to Lagos State.

    Details Shortly.. 

  • Edo poll: No collection of PVC by proxy, INEC insists

    Edo poll: No collection of PVC by proxy, INEC insists

    Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said yesterday that it would not allow proxy collection of Permanent Voter Card (PVCs) ahead of Edo governorship election scheduled for September 21.

    Chairman of the commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, who disclosed this at a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners, said the refusal of proxy collection was to ensure the cards did not end up in wrong hands.

    He said register of voters for the governorship election would be presented today to representatives of parties participating in the election, at the INEC headquarters in Benin.

    He said: “It is important to emphasise that the commission’s policy that PVCs must be personally collected by registered voters has not changed.

    “The cards will not be distributed or collected by proxy so that they do not end up in the wrong hands. We urge voters, who took their time to register during the CVR, to also take time to collect their PVCs in person and, most importantly, to come out on Election Day and vote for the party of their choice.

    “Still as part of our preparations for the Edo State governorship election, softcopy of the final and comprehensive register of voters will be presented to each party fielding candidates in the election tomorrow (today) at our state office in Benin City.

    “This is in fulfilment of item 10 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election.

    Besides Edo and Ondo governorship elections, Yakubu said there are pending by-elections to fill seven vacancies in the National and State Assemblies across six states.

    He said: “Following the conclusion of the last Continuous Voters Registration CVR) in Edo and Ondo states, the commission published the figures of new registrants for the two states following the clean-up of the register.

    Read Also: Edo election: No collection of PVC by proxy, INEC insists

    “For Edo State, 119,206 new voters were registered. In addition, 8,847 voters transferred their registration from other states of the federation to Edo State, while 46,171 voters transferred their registration within the state i.e. from one part of the state to another.

    “As provided by law, the commission has updated the records of 4,808 voters that applied for correction of names, addresses or dates of birth from previous registrations and also replaced 5,406 lost or damaged PVCs.

    “Put together, 184,438 voters of categories were served by the commission during the last CVR in Edo State. They will be issued new voter cards (PVCs).

    “I am glad to report that the cards have been printed and delivered to our office in Benin City. From there, they have been handed over to our Electoral Officers (EOs) for collection by voters.

    “To ensure a seamless process, the cards will be available for collection in the 192 wards in the state where the last CVR took place from August 22 to 26 from 9am to 5pm daily, including the weekend.”