Tag: Inec

The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, on Thursday, May 16, challenged security agents to prevent violent attacks or negative mobilization by political parties, candidates, and their supporters during their campaigns for the Edo and Ondo off-cycle governorship elections.

Speaking at the second regular quarterly consultative meeting of the Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security, Yakubu condemned the use of the power of incumbency to prevent opposition parties and candidates from accessing radio and television stations for the campaign.

He said: “The use of the power of incumbency to deny opposition parties and candidates access to public facilities such as Radio and Television stations, public buildings for campaigns and rallies or even outdoor advertising through the imposition of excessive fees and levies often result in the breach of the peace.

“These actions, including the mutual destruction of campaign materials and facilities, violate the provisions of Sections 91 to 97 of the Electoral Act 2022.”

He said the security agencies must ensure the enforcement of the law.

While commending the security agencies for their collaboration in ensuring peaceful elections in the country, Prof. Yakubu appealed to them to work closely with the commission to ensure the success of the governorship election in Edo and Ondo states.

He informed the security agencies that the Continuous Registration Exercise ahead of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections will commence on May 27 in all the wards in the two states.

Read Also: INEC declares Rivers, Jigawa,Kaduna lawmakers’ seats vacant

He said: “We need security protection for the registrants, registration personnel, equipment, observers and journalists that will cover the exercise. The detailed locations of the registration centres have been compiled in a detailed 28-page document included in your folders for this meeting to guide your operational plans to secure the process.”

He said the commission has published the final list of candidates for Edo following the conclusion of party primaries and the end of the period for withdrawal and substitution of candidates as provided in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election.

He added that the campaign in public by political parties commenced on Wednesday 24th April 2024 and will end at midnight on Thursday 19th September 2024 i.e. 24 hours before the date fixed for the election as provided by law.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday announced vacancies in four constituencies caused by deaths or resignation of the lawmakers.

The vacancies include the Garki/Babura Federal Constituency of Jigawa State, caused by the death of Isa Dogonyaro on Friday in Abuja after an illness and three other state constituencies.

The state constituencies are: Khana 2 State Constituency of Rivers State, the Bagwai/Shanono State Constituency of Kano State, and the Zaria Kewaye State Constituency of Kaduna State.

Addressing a quarterly consultative meeting with Media Executive, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the commission would announce the dates for by-elections into the affected constituencies as soon as necessary modalities were completed.

Read Also: JUST IN: INEC declares Dogonyaro’s seat vacant, to announce date for by-election

Yakubu also said the commission was remobilising to conclude the outstanding rerun elections in Enugu South 1 State Constituency of Enugu State and Ghari (formerly called Kunchi Local Government Area) for the Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano State.

The INEC chairman explained that the February 3 rerun elections in Enugu and Kano states were disrupted by violence and thuggery, forcing the commission to suspend the election.

He urged the media to assist the commission in mobilising Nigerians, especially residents of Edo and Ondo states, to participate in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) ahead of the off-cycle governorship elections in both state.

• CVR to begin in Edo, Ondo soon

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has told civil society organisations (CSOs) that their continued participation in the electoral process will depend on their submission of reports on the elections they monitored.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja at a quarterly consultative meeting with CSOs involved in monitoring elections in the country, INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said CSOs that fail to submit reports from previous exercises may not be accredited to participate in future polls.

The INEC chairman advised them to submit their applications for accreditation as election observers for the September 21 governorship elections in Edo State.

He said: “As we inch closer to Election Day in Edo State, it is also imperative to remind CSOs of the need to submit your applications for election observation in earnest along with the required supporting documents and a realistic number of individual observers.

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“Doing so will enable the commission to produce and deliver the identity cards for observers in good time. The commission will not entertain requests outside the deadline for the receipt of applications from interested observer groups or process applications that do not meet the criteria.

“For emphasis, the submission of reports from previous accreditation in the manner required by the commission is mandatory for continuous participation in election observation.

“Since our last meeting two months ago, many accredited observers have submitted their reports but a few are yet to do so. We urge you to do the needful. Your reports are important for us in reviewing and improving our processes and procedures.”

Yakubu announced some vacancies in National and State Assemblies following the death or resignation of some lawmakers in three State Assembly constituencies and one Federal Constituency in four states across the country.

He said: “As soon as preparations are concluded, the commission will announce the dates for by-elections in Khana 2 State Constituency of Rivers State, the Bagwai/Shanono State Constituency of Kano State, the Zaria Kewaye State Constituency of Kaduna State, and the Garki/Babura Federal Constituency of Jigawa State.”

The INEC chairman informed the CSOs of the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in Edo and Ondo states, asking them to join the commission in mobilising prospective registrants.

He said there was a need for eligible voters to register early and avoid last-minute rush when registration centres would be inundated by late registrants.

Yakubu explained that besides the registration of voters in the two states, the commission would ensure that uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) are available for collection during the CVR.

He said: “In the coming days, the list of uncollected PVCs will be published in our offices in the two states and simultaneously uploaded to our website. We believe doing so will make it easier for voters to collect their PVCs.

“However, no PVCs will be collected by proxy. Registered voters should come in person to collect their cards. Again, we seek the support of CSOs in encouraging voters to locate and pick up their PVCs as was done in the past.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) told Civil Society Organisations on Tuesday, May 14, that their continued participation in the electoral process will depend on their submission of reports from elections monitored by them.

Speaking at a quarterly consultative meeting with CSOs involved in monitoring elections in the country, the chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said CSOs that fail to submit reports from previous exercises may not be accredited to participate in future elections.

He, however, asked them to submit their applications for accreditation as election observers for the September 21 Governorship elections in Edo state.

The INEC chairman said: “As we inch closer to Election Day in Edo State, it is also imperative to remind CSOs of the need to submit your applications for election observation in earnest along with the required supporting documents and a realistic number of individual observers.

“Doing so will enable the Commission to produce and deliver the identity cards for observers in good time. The Commission will not entertain requests outside the deadline for the receipt of applications from interested observer groups or process applications that do not meet the criteria.

Read Also: Ondo 2024: INEC to close nomination of candidates May 20, says Yakubu

“For emphasis, submission of reports from previous accreditation in the manner required by the Commission is mandatory for continuous participation in election observation.

“Since our last meeting two months ago, many accredited observers have submitted their reports but a few are yet to do so. We urge you to do the needful. Your reports are important for us in reviewing and improving our processes and procedures”.

He also announced the existence of vacancies in National and State Assemblies caused by either the death or resignation of Members involving three State Assembly constituencies and one Federal Constituency in four States across the country.

He said: “As soon as preparations are concluded, the Commission will announce the dates for bye-elections in Khana 2 State Constituency of Rivers State, the Bagwai/Shanono State constituency of Kano State, the Zaria Kewaye State Constituency of Kaduna State and the Garki/Babura Federal Constituency of Jigawa State.”

The INEC chairman informed the CSOs of the resumption of the Continuous Voter registration exercise in Edo and Ondo state. He appealed to join us in mobilising prospective registrants for the exercise, particularly on the need to register early and not wait until the deadline approaches when eleventh-hour registrants will inundate the registration centres.

He also disclosed that in addition to the registration of voters in the two states, the Commission will make available uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for collection during the CVR.

He said: “In the coming days, the list of uncollected PVCs will be published in our offices in the two States and simultaneously uploaded to our website. We believe doing so will make it easier for voters to collect their PVCs.

“However, no PVCs will be collected by proxy. Registered voters should come in person to collect their cards. Again, we seek the support of CSOs in encouraging voters to locate and pick up their PVCs as was done in the past.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it would resume continous voter registration exercise in Edo and Ondo states ahead of the September and November off-cycle governorship elections in the two states. 

The chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who disclosed this at a quarterly meeting of the commission with leaders of political parties on Monday, said the exercise which is expected to begin on Monday, May 27, will end on Wednesday 5th June 2024.

Yakubu said considering the time available for the exercise, the commission has decided that the registration will only take place at the ward headquarters and INEC headquarters in the state. 

He said those who are registered voters also have the opportunity to transfer their registration from other states of the federation to Edo and Ondo states or from one location to another within the two states. 

He said: “Let me reiterate that the CVR is only open to new registrants and those who seek to transfer their registration.”

Read Also: Ondo 2024: APC kicks against ‘No Primary’ report by INEC

He warned persons already registered as voters not to attempt to register again as double or multiple registration is illegal, saying that loss or damaged voters’ cards will be replaced during the exercise but this does require fresh registration. 

“Taking into consideration the limited time to the Governorship elections, the Commission has decided to conduct the registration at Ward level and our State headquarters instead of our Local Government offices and a few designated centers as was case in the past.

“This means that there will be 192 Ward registration centres in Edo State and 203 centres in Ondo State, in addition to our State offices in Benin City and Akure, making a total of 397 walk-in registration centres in the two States. 

“There will be no online pre-registration option in the two States because of time constraint. Each centre will be managed by two officials drawn from our regular staff and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). In the next few days, the Commission will commence the training of at least 794 officials for the exercise. 

“The locations of the registration centres as well as other relevant information have been compiled in a detailed 28-page document included in your folders for this meeting. The same information will be uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information shortly”, he said .

 Detail shortly… 

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has no intention to change the deputy governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.

The commission said it stands by what it has published as the final list of candidates contesting the election.

Edo State chapter of the LP had rejected the final list of candidates published by the commission, saying it published the name of what it called a placeholder as its deputy governorship candidate.

Read Also: INEC asked to release notice for 2025 elections in FCT

Edo LP claimed that they followed laid down procedure to replace Oluyinka Faith Alufohoi with Asamah Yusuf Kadiri as its deputy governorship candidate within the stipulated time.

They blamed what they described as “technical glitches” from the LP headquarters for the error published by INEC.

Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022 provides that “a political party shall not be allowed to change or substitute its candidate whose name has been submitted under Section 29 of this Act, except in the case of death or withdrawal by candidate; Provided that in the case of such withdrawal or death of a candidate, the political party shall, within 14 days of the occurrence of the event, hold a fresh primary election to produce and submit a fresh candidate to the commission for the election concerned.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has no intention to change the deputy governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the September 21, governorship election in Edo state.

The commission said it stands by what it has published as the final list of candidates contesting the election.

The Edo state chapter of the Labour Party had refused to accept the final list of candidates released by the commission, claiming that a placeholder has been listed as its deputy governor.

The Edo LP claimed that they followed the laid down procedure to replace Oluyinka Faith Alufohoi with Asamah Yusuf Kadiri as its deputy governorship candidate within the stipulated time.

They blame what they described as “technical. Glitches” from the LP headquarters for the error published by INEC.

Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022 provides that “a political party shall not be allowed to change or substitute its candidate whose name has been submitted under section 29 of this Act, except in the case of death or withdrawal by candidate; Provided that in the case of such withdrawal or death of a candidate, the political party shall, within 14 days of the occurrence of the event, hold a fresh primary election to produce and submit a fresh candidate to the commission for the election concern.”

The national commissioner acd chairman of the information and voter education committee of the Commission, Sam Olumekun told The Nation that the commission has no intention of changing the deputy governorship candidate of the Labour Party for the election.

Read Also: INEC asked to release notice for 2025 elections in FCT

He said: “You know that we have published the final list of candidates for the election. We stand by that publication.

National publicity secretary of the Julius Abure-led faction of the party, Obiora Ifoh told The Nation that the party has no intention of changing Alufohoi at this stage.

Ifoh said: “The good thing is that the candidate is a member of the party and she is well qualified to be the next deputy governor of Edo state. The fact that her name was published is a testimony to the fact that she is destined to occupy the position. There is nothing we can do now.”

For the second time in almost five years, residents and indigenes of Oyo State on Saturday trooped out to elect Chairmen and Councillors across the 33 local government areas of the state.

Although some political leaders including Governor Seyi Makinde, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin among others judged the election to be free, fair and transparent, the polls were not without irregularities.

While Makinde said the election was at par with the ones conducted in time past with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Speaker Ogundoyin commended the State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) for what he described as a job well done.

However, some polling units recorded lateness of arrivals of electoral officials and materials, and some other places also recorded some other issues were recorded in other parts of the state.

At Polling Unit 25 & 61, Ward 5; Unit 16, Ward 10, Bodija and Unit 15, Ward 10, Osuntokun all within the Ibadan North local government area, OYSIEC officials did not arrive until about 10:31am.

However, both voters and party agents were said to have been on e ground as early as 7:30 AM.

Also at Unit 6, Ward 7, Ibadan North election had not commenced as at 10:53.

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At Unit 10 & 23, Ward 9, Veterinary area, Mokola, nothing started as at 11 am. Voters and party agents were also said to be on ground.

There was also a report of snatching of ballot boxes at Sanyo Wards 1 and 2.

No OYSIEC staff were seen in many polling units in Oluyole LG and Saki East as at 11:30am.

OYSIEC office in Oorelope LG was under lock and key as at 1:45 pm, as such no election was held in Igbeti and Igboho.

In Ibarapa North local government, some armed hoodlums were nabbed by the security officials in Ayete area, while the returning officer for Ward 04, Iwajowa LG was said to have left the polling unannounced.

Also at Unit 6 of Agbaakin Ward 1, political thugs were said to have snatched ballot box. It was also gathered that election materials for Sabiganna Ward 2 were taken to one Mr. Sunday Olaranwaju Farm Settlement at Egbonron Village to thumbprint stolen ballot papers. The claim could not be verified as at the time of this report.

In Atisbo, Ward 10, Bassi, ballot papers and results sheets were said to be missing from the items brought.

In Irepo Local Government, the election was said to have gone smoothly as there was large turnout but a shortage of ballots recorded. The election was said to be calm and successful

In Iwajowa Local Government, there were reports of the exchange of units’ ballot papers, with fake results sheets flying around. Election started around 12 in most of the wards in the area due to the late arrival of officials and materials.

It was gathered that election materials were not distributed completely to Ward 12, Ibadan North where only 20 units were released out of 63 units.

Sources also hinted that there were no election in Agbaakin Ward 2 of Iganna in Iwajowa Local Government due to the failure of OYSIEC officials to distribute election materials to all the Ad-hoc staff.

In Sabiganna Ward 7, Unit 8, it was gathered that after voters had exhausted the 100 ballot papers of both chairmanship and councillorship elections, the OYSIEC Ad-hoc supervisor was informed to which she promised to come to give out additional ballot papers since 12:47 AM47AM but refused to show up till the time of this report.

In Akinyele Local Government,  it was gathered that the Labour Party agent was ordered out of the OYSIEC office during ballot papers distribution, but that when he refused to leave on the claim that the PDP agent was not given the same order, political thugs were said to have descended on him.

Meanwhile, the Chairmanship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Egbeda Local Government, Hon. Bashiru Adeniyi Dabas faulted the elections in his council area.

Expressing his displeasure, he said he was unable to cast his vote at Ward 9 Unit 001 Koroboto, Egbeda, as OYSIEC officials were yet to surface at the polling centre, till around 2.45 pm.

Dabas accused the OYSIEC boss, Aare Isiaka Olagunju of intentionally disenfranchising him and his supporters who had shown up in their large numbers since 7AM to perform their civic duties.

He expressed readiness to challenge OYSIEC in court, after the poll.

The Nation reports that the local government election was to run between 8 AM and 3 PM.

Reacting to the various challenges recorded in the election, the  Chairman of OYSIEC, Aare Isiaka Olagunju while featuring on an Ibadan-based radio station confirmed the receipt of complaints concerning the late arrival of officials and voting materials in some places adding that he had to personally visit some of the affected local governments to see things for himself and resolved the challenges.

He noted that several reasons including access to mobility and logistic problems for officials, were responsible but that they had been rectified at the time of filing this report.

 He added that he had directed an extension where the exercise started late and that the last voter must be allowed to vote.

 On the situation that happened in the Iseyin area of the state, the OYSIEC boss said all materials had been distributed since Wednesday and that he had directed the officials to take form EC8A to all units.

 He added that the excuse given by the officials for not taking the Form EC8A along to the unit initially was that they deliberately kept it to bring them after the election had started, noting, however, that he had directed that it should be distributed.

Makinde casts vote, commends process, electorate

Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, while commending the LG polls in the state, praised the state electoral umpire for the smooth process in the conduct of the ongoing council polls across the state.

The governor also commended the electorate for turning out to participate in the election.

Makinde made the remarks shortly after casting his vote at Ward 11, Unit 1, Abayomi Area, Ibadan North East Local Government on Saturday.

The governor arrived at the unit at about 10: 30AM to be received by the party agent and some party leaders at the council level.

He urged the people to receive the outcome of the election in good faith, adding that the election was at par with the one organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Makinde said, “For us in Oyo State, it is almost like a giving, democracy at the grassroots is what we practise. It’s almost our 5th year in office and we are holding a local government election for the second time.

“Before we came in, it had always been a caretaker administration, where the people did not really have a say on who should govern them at the grassroots level.

“You can see how people are going about exercising peacefully.  Traffic restrictions have been obeyed by the people.

“I’ll like to commend our people for coming out and taking this civic exercise seriously for our democracy

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been asked to urgently release a notice of election for the 2025 elections to Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The request is contained in a letter written to INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu by a lawyer, Elom Aleke, who wrote on behalf of Fatima Abubakar (a politician, who plans to participate in the elections).

In the letter, received at the INEC headquarters on April 17, it was noted that the tenure of the current Chairmen of Area Councils and councillors in the FCT, who assumed office in 2022 will soon lapse.

Part of the letter reads: “We most humbly urge you to rely on Section 28(1) (a) of the Electoral Act, 2022 which empowers you and the commission to release ‘Notice of Election’ not later than 360 days before the day scheduled for holding of an election under the 2022 Electoral Act.

“We therefore, on the instruction of our client that since the three-year term of the current chairman and councilors will expire in June 2025, our client therefore, demand from you and your office to kindly release or cause to be released notice of election for the 2025 Federal Capital Territory Area Councils election forthwith in line with Section 28(1) as of the Electoral Act, 2022.

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“This is to ensure that the commission will not plunge the said Area Councils into electoral crises as the commission has only two months to carry this duty.

“Take notice that, in the event that you fail to heed to our demand, we shall resort to legal action to compel you and your office to adhere to the said provision of the Electoral Act.

“This letter is predicated on the aspiration of our client, who is aspiring for the position of Councilor, Jiwa Ward in Abuja Municipal Area Council of the FCT.”