Tag: Inec

A Bayelsa-based organisation – Bayelsa Political Watch (BPW) has alerted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies of a plot to rig the November 11 governorship poll in the state.

It urged the electoral body and security personnel to remain neutral to the various parties fielding candidates in the off-season election.

Coordinator of the group, Nadione Harrison, also called on the security operatives to halt the violence in Nembe Bassambiri, Nembe Local Government Area of the state, urging the government to collaborate with security agencies to protect lives and property on the Election Day.

Nadione admonished all the candidates to be good sportsmen by playing the game according to the rules.

Sanctity, he stressed, must be placed on lives and properties Bayelsans before, during and after the election.

Read Also; Police arrest parent for flogging teacher to death in Delta

Condemning the violence in Nembe Bassabiri on August 12, Nadione, said the killing of 12 people was unacceptable, recalling that similar unrest in the area claimed 22 lives in 2019.

He described as worrisome that now of the perpetrators of violence have not been brought to book.

The BPW spokesman urged those seeking office to appeal to voters through intensified campaigns and not through the deployment of arms and ammunition.

He said everything must be done to protect electoral officials, including Youth Corps members that would be deployed in the state by INEC.

The group urged the government to sustain the measures taken to halt further aggravation of the political violence in the area by the September 2 ban on  the activities of the Council of Chiefs and Youths’ Council in Opu-Nembe.

He said: “As the governorship election in Bayelsa draws closer, we find it necessary to call on the security agencies and the Indepedent national election commission to focus special attention on violence prone areas in the state.

“The recent politically related killings in Opu Nembe on August 12, a few months to the election makes it necessary for the appropriate agencies to take proactive measures to prevent further loss of lives.

“This state cannot forget in a hurry the mindless slaughter of 22 persons in the last gubernatorial election in the state. We are of the view that such heinous crimes committed under the cover of politics can be prevented.

“We commend the State Governor, Douye Diri,  for the proactive step of banning activities of Council of Chiefs and Youths’ Council in the volatile area.

“It is important to note that no parent would readily allow his ward to be deployed as corp members to carry out election duties in areas where desperate politicians can cut short their lives.”

• Number of petitions filed not enough to discredit elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday reflected on how it conducted the 2023 general election.

While affirming the integrity and credibility of the polls, it pointed out that 891 of 1,196 petitions have either been dismissed or withdrawn. 

The commission also explained that the dismissal of 74.4 percent of the petitions confirmed the credibility of the polls.

INEC gave itself a pass mark while releasing the report on the outcome of  presidential, governorship, National and State House of  Assembly Elections petitions.

Read Also: Alternative routes as Third Mainland Bridge shuts down for 24hrs

 The electoral agency said it cannot be held responsible for re-election petitions, which arose from party primaries. 

The commission made the clarifications, following a report that 94.4 per cent of the elections failed at the tribunals.

It said the mere filing of petitions does not affect the integrity of the recent elections.

In a statement by its National Commissioner and  Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Sam Olumekun, INEC insisted that the 2023 General Election never had a retrogressive effect.

It said: “ Out of 1,196 petitions, 712 were dismissed and 179 withdrawn. This means that in 891 cases (74.4 per cent), the tribunals found no merit in the petitions and affirmed the result of the elections conducted by INEC. 

“ It is surprising how the mere filing of petitions constitutes a blot on the integrity of the recent elections conducted by INEC when in fact it constitutes an integral part of the democratic process.”

The statement reads: “As of Monday 16th October 2023, out of 82 governorship election petitions, 72 (87.8%) were either dismissed or withdrawn by the petitioners. 

“For Senatorial elections, 146 petitions were filed out of which 100 (68.5%) were dismissed or withdrawn. 

“ For the House of Representatives, 413 petitions were filed out of which 309 (74.81%) were dismissed or withdrawn while for State Houses of Assembly, 550 petitions were filed out of which 468 (82.4%) were dismissed or withdrawn.

“A comparative analysis would have addressed the deliberate effort in the report to portray the 2023 General Election as regressive on account of litigation without empirical evidence. 

INEC said it was misleading to claim that 94% of the elections it conducted failed. 

“ The said report analysed the total number of petitions as if they were filed against the outcome of the election in 94% of all the elective positions without considering details of the cases. 

“ Multiple petitions were filed by candidates and political parties as petitioners in a single Constituency. For example, in one State in the South South geopolitical zone of the country, eight petitions were filed challenging the Governorship election out of which seven were dismissed and one withdrawn. 

“Therefore, the number of election petitions filed in respect of all elective offices will certainly outnumber the total number of constituencies/elective offices.

“ To spread them across the constituencies and proceed to calculate the percentage is to count some constituencies several times which is methodologically problematic and statistically illogical. 

“ It is pertinent to note that the grounds for challenging the outcome of an election as provided in Section 134 of the Electoral Act, 2022 are not limited to the conduct of election by the commission. 

“An election may be questioned on the ground that the winner of the election was not qualified to contest the election by virtue of his academic qualifications, age etc. 

“ Many of the petitioners did not challenge the conduct of the elections by INEC but the eligibility of candidates or their nomination by political parties. Under the law, INEC has no power to screen candidates. Similarly, only the Courts can disqualify candidates.”

INEC said although the number of election petitions had risen in the last three electoral cycles, upturned elections by tribunals were fewer. 

It said most of the petitions failed because they were weak. 

The statement added: “Over the last three electoral cycles, the number of election petitions may be rising but not the number of upturned elections. In 2015, 663 cases were filed at the tribunals, 87 (13.190) were nullified and the commission ordered to conduct re-run in some polling units or entire constituencies. “In 2019, 807 petitions were filed but elections were only re-run in 30 (3.71%) consituencies (3 Senatorial Districts, 13 Federal Constituencies and 14 State Constituencies.)

“ While the 2023 post-election litigations are ongoing, all five petitions filed in respect of the Presidential election were dismissed while three are pending on appeal.” 

The Commission wishes to restate that it is inappropriate to solely assess the credibility of INEC or the conduct of the 2023 General Election on the number of petitions filed by litigants who, in any case, have the right to do so under the law.”

It asked the media and Nigerians willing to analyze the 2023 poll results to assess its website which has valuable infographics. 

The commission said it cannot be liable for pre-election petitions, which arose from party primaries. 

INEC said:” First, basic fact check on the information regualarly published by the commission and available on our website would have shown that in 2023, elections were not conducted in 1,280 constituencies, including 782 State Assembly seats. 

“ On the contrary, elections were conducted in 1,491 constituencies across the country made up of one Presidential, 28 Governorship, 109 Senatorial, 360 House of Representatives and 993 State Assembly constituencies. 

“Similarly, the claim that State Assembly elections were held in only 28 States of the country is made on the lazy assumption that no such elections were held in the eight States of the federation where executive elections are held off-cycle. 

“ As every attentive Nigerian knows, the tenure of legislators is tied to the legislative houses which is a fixed term of four years from the date the Assembly is inaugurated unlike the term of office of the executive which begins from the date they take the oath of office.

 ”Secondly, a report blames the pre-election cases arising from the conduct of primary elections by political parties on INEC. 

“ These are intra-party cases involving party members in which they join the commission and seek for reliefs binding on it. As everyone knows, INEC does not conduct primaries for political parties.

“Thirdly, in pursuit of their right under the law, many litigants in Nigeria unfortunately file election petitions over the most improbable cases and later withdraw them or they are dismissed by the tribunals. 

“ If the report had taken time to analyse the outcome of the cases decided so far by the tribunals, it would have discovered that.

“ While we wish to restate our continuing partnership with the media, it is prudent to state that the pen should be used to strengthen rather than impugn the integrity of public and particularly where basic statistics demand that we should be circumspect.” 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has described media report that 94 per cent all the elective positions contested in 2023 general elections are being contested at the tribunal as incorrect.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Olumekun said that the attention of the commission had been drawn to a front page report by a newspaper in its Wednesday edition titled: “INEC’s credibility sinks as 94% contested posts await tribunal.”

He said that the commission would have ignored the report if it did not emanate from one of our country’s flagship and reputable newspapers.

He said that, however, the report under reference contained inaccurate figures, mix-up of pre-election and post-election cases.

He added that the report skewed comparative perspective and a headline that suggests that election petitions draw from the action or inaction of INEC.

Olumekun said that basic fact check on the information regularly published by INEC and available on its website would have shown that in 2023, elections were not conducted in 1,280 constituencies, including 782 state assembly seats.

“On the contrary, elections were conducted in 1,491 constituencies across the country made up of 1 Presidential, 28 Governorship, 109 Senatorial, 360 House of Representatives and 993 State Assembly constituencies.

“Similarly, the claim that State Assembly elections were held in only 28 States of the country is made on the lazy assumption that no such elections were held in the eight States of the federation where executive elections are held off-cycle.

“As every attentive Nigerian knows, the tenure of legislators is tied to the legislative houses which is a fixed term of four years from the date the Assembly is inaugurated unlike the term of office of the executive which begins from the date they take the oath of office, “ he said.

Olumekun also faulted the report blaming the pre-election cases arising from the conduct of primary elections by political parties on INEC.

He said those were intra-party cases involving party members in which they joined INEC and seek for reliefs binding on it, even as INEC does not conduct primaries for political parties.

“Thirdly, in pursuit of their right under the law, many litigants in Nigeria unfortunately file election petitions over the most improbable cases and later withdraw them or they are dismissed by the tribunals.

“If the report had taken time to analyse the outcome of the cases decided so far by the tribunals, it would have discovered that out of 1,196 petitions, 712 were dismissed and 179 withdrawn.

“This means that in 891 cases (74.4 per cent), the tribunals found no merit in the petitions and affirmed the result of the elections conducted by INEC.

“It is surprising how the mere filing of petitions constitute a blot on the integrity of the recent elections conducted by INEC when in fact they constitute an integral part of the democratic process, “ Olumekun said.

He added that the said report also analysed the total number of petitions as if they were filed against the outcome of the elections in 94 per cent of all the elective positions without considering details of the cases.

Olumekun said that multiple petitions were filed by candidates and political parties as petitioners in a single constituency.

“For example, in one state in the south south geopolitical zone of the country, eight petitions were filed challenging the governorship election out of which seven were dismissed and one withdrawn.

“Therefore, the number of election petitions filed in respect of all elective offices will certainly outnumber the total number of constituencies/elective offices.

“To spread them across the constituencies and proceed to calculate the percentage is to count some constituencies several times which is methodologically problematic and statistically illogical,” he said.

He added that it was also pertinent to note that the grounds for challenging the outcome of an election as provided in Section 134 of the Electoral Act, 2022 were not limited to the conduct of election by the commission.

Olumekun said that an election might be questioned on the ground that the winner of the election was not qualified to contest the election by virtue of his academic qualifications, age etc.

He said that many of the petitioners did not challenge the conduct of the elections by INEC but the eligibility of candidates or their nomination by political parties.

He added that under the law, INEC has no power to screen candidates, as only the courts can disqualify candidates.

“Six, a comparative analysis would have addressed the deliberate effort in the report to portray the 2023 General Election as regressive on account of litigation without empirical evidence.

“Over the last three electoral cycles, the number of election petitions may be rising but not the number of upturned elections. In 2015, 663 cases were filed at the tribunals, 87 (13.1 per cent) were nullified and the commission ordered to conduct re-run in some polling units or entire constituencies.

“In 2019, 807 petitions were filed but elections were only re-run in 30 (3.71per cent) consituencies (three Senatorial Districts, 13 Federal Constituencies and 14 State Constituencies).

“While the 2023 post-election litigations are ongoing, all five petitions filed in respect of the Presidential election were dismissed while three are pending on appeal,” he said

Olumekun said that as at Monday Oct 16, out of 82 governorship election petitions, 72 (87.8 per cent) were either dismissed or withdrawn by the petitioners.

Read Also: Our credibility intact despite 2023 poll litigations – INEC

“For senatorial elections, 146 petitions were filed out of which 100 (68.5per cent) were dismissed or withdrawn.

“For the House of Representatives, 413 petitions were filed out of which 309 (74.81 per cent) were dismissed or withdrawn while for State Houses of Assembly, 550 petitions were filed out of which 468 (82.4 per cent) were dismissed or withdrawn,” he said.

Olumekun said it was inappropriate to solely assess the credibility of INEC or the conduct of the 2023 General Election on the number of petitions filed by litigants who, in any case, have the right to do so under the law.

“While we wish to restate our continuing partnership with the media, it is prudent to state that the pen should be used to strengthen rather than impugn the integrity of public institutions particularly where basic statistics demand that we should be circumspect, “ he said.

(NAN)

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that number of litigations arising from the conduct of the 2023 general elections has in no way sunk the credibility of the commission.  

National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun also dismissed claims Assembly elections were only conducted in 28 States of the Federation. 

The statement titled: “Media report on election petitions and the credibility of INEC” reads: “The attention of the Commission has been drawn to a front page report of a national newspaper in its edition of Wednesday 18th October 2023 entitled “INEC’s credibility sinks as 94% contested posts awaits tribunal.

“The Commission would have ignored the report if it did not emanate from one of our country’s flagship newspapers which has over the years established a reputation for the quality of its stories, incisive analysis, factual accuracy, balance and lately the innovative use of infographics.

“However, its report under reference contains inaccurate figures, mix up of pre-election and post-election cases, skewed comparative perspective and a headline that suggests that election petitions draw from the action or inaction of INEC.

“First, basic fact check on the information regularly published by the Commission and available on our website would have shown that in 2023, elections were not conducted in 1,280 constituencies, including 782 State Assembly seats. On the contrary, elections were conducted in 1,491 constituencies across the country made up of 1 Presidential, 28 Governorship, 109 Senatorial, 360 House of Representatives and 993 State Assembly constituencies. 

Read Also: ‘INEC must obey court order on Sylva’s disqualification’

“Similarly, the claim that State Assembly elections were held in only 28 States of the country is made on the lazy assumption that no such elections were held in the eight States of the federation where executive elections are held off-cycle. 

“As every attentive Nigerian knows, the tenure of legislators is tied to the legislative houses which is a fixed term of four years from the date the Assembly is inaugurated unlike the term of office of the executive which begins from the date they take the oath of office.

“Secondly, the report blames the pre-election cases arising from the conduct of primary elections by political parties on INEC. These are intra-party cases involving party members in which they join the Commission and seek for reliefs binding on it. As everyone knows, INEC does not conduct primaries for political parties.

“Thirdly, in pursuit of their right under the law, many litigants in Nigeria unfortunately file election petitions over the most improbable cases and later withdraw them or they are dismissed by the tribunals. 

“If the report had taken time to analyse the outcome of the cases decided so far by the tribunals, it would have discovered that out of 1,196 petitions, 712 were dismissed and 179 withdrawn. This means that in 891 cases (74.4%), the tribunals found no merit in the petitions and affirmed the result of the elections conducted by INEC. 

“It is surprising how the mere filing of petitions constitute a blot on the integrity of the recent elections conducted by INEC when in fact they constitute an integral part of the democratic process.

“Fourthly, the said report analysed the total number of petitions as if they were filed against the outcome of the election in 94% of all the elective positions without considering details of the cases. 

“Multiple petitions were filed by candidates and political parties as petitioners in a single Constituency. For example, in one State in the South South geopolitical zone of the country, eight petitions were filed challenging the Governorship election out of which seven were dismissed and one withdrawn. 

“Therefore, the number of election petitions filed in respect of all elective offices will certainly outnumber the total number of constituencies/elective offices. 

“To spread them across the constituencies and proceed to calculate the percentage is to count some constituencies several times which is methodologically problematic and statistically illogical.

“Five, it is pertinent to note that the grounds for challenging the outcome of an election as provided in Section 134 of the Electoral Act, 2022 are not limited to the conduct of election by the Commission. 

“An election may be questioned on the ground that the winner of the election was not qualified to contest the election by virtue of his academic qualifications, age etc. 

“Many of the petitioners did not challenge the conduct of the elections by INEC but the eligibility of candidates or their nomination by political parties. Under the law, INEC has no power to screen candidates. Similarly, only the Courts can disqualify candidates.

“Six, a comparative analysis would have addressed the deliberate effort in the report to portray the 2023 General Election as regressive on account of litigation without empirical evidence. 

“Over the last three electoral cycles, the number of election petitions may be rising but not the number of upturned elections. In 2015, 663 cases were filed at the tribunals, 87 (13.1%) were nullified and the Commission ordered to conduct re-run in some polling units or entire constituencies. 

“In 2019, 807 petitions were filed but elections were only re-run in 30 (3.71%) constituencies (3 Senatorial Districts, 13 Federal Constituencies and 14 State Constituencies). 

“While the 2023 post-election litigations are ongoing, all five petitions filed in respect of the Presidential election were dismissed while three are pending on appeal. As of Monday 16th October 2023, out of 82 Governorship election petitions, 72 (87.8%) were either dismissed or withdrawn by the petitioners. 

“For Senatorial elections, 146 petitions were filed out of which 100 (68.5%) were dismissed or withdrawn. For the House of Representatives, 413 petitions were filed out of which 309 (74.81%) were dismissed or withdrawn while for State Houses of Assembly, 550 petitions were filed out of which 468 (82.4%) were dismissed or withdrawn.

“The Commission wishes to restate that it is inappropriate to solely assess the credibility of INEC or the conduct of the 2023 General Election on the number of petitions filed by litigants who, in any case, have the right to do so under the law. 

“While we wish to restate our continuing partnership with the media, it is prudent to state that the pen should be used to strengthen rather than impugn the integrity of public institutions particularly where basic statistics demand that we should be circumspect.”