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Tag: Inec

  • Bauchi gov commends INEC for prompt exercise

    Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar, has cast his vote at his polling unit in Duremi Jahun, Bauchi Local Government Area, lauding the Independent National Electoral commission, INEC, for prompt commencement of voting activities as early as 8:00am.

    The governor, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, arrived Gindi Durimi polling unit 078, alongside his two wives, Hajiya Adiza Abubakar and Hadiza Aisha Abubakar, by at 9:55 a.m. to cast his ballots.

    Abubakar, who came almost  two hours late, said he was surprised that voting commenced so early,  compared to the last presidential and national assembly elections, where voting was delayed. He added that he was pleased with the large turn-out of voters.

    He further told newsmen that he was ready to accept the outcome of the gubernatorial election, provided it was free and fair.

    The Presiding Officer at the unit, Mukail Salisu, told The Nation correspondent that there were no hitches of card reader failure or shortage of materials as at 10am.

    He said in the three voting points at the polling unit, over 1000 voters turned out en masse to vote for the candidate of their choice.

  • Emmanuel commends INEC for improved logistical arrangement

    Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, who, along with his wife, Martha, cast his vote at exactly 9.23 am, at Town Hall, Awa 1, (Polling Unit Code 03-24-001), Onna local government area, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for improvement in the accreditation process and expressed optimism that the experience would be replicated in other units across the state.

  • INEC reschedules election in three Benue LGAs

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rescheduled voting in three local government areas of Benue State.

    Voting was generally peaceful on most parts of the state and the strong contention for power by leaders of both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appear to have greatly energised their grassroots support base for a good turnout yesterday.

    The Resident Electoral Commission in Benue State, Dr. Nentawe Goshwe, yesterday evening explained that there are logical and valid reasons for rescheduling the elections.

    He explained that the governorship and house of assembly election in Mbalon ward of Gwer East Local government area have been rescheduled because of the volume of electoral materials burnt by thugs.

    He also said that elections are being rescheduled in Yandev Northward of Gboko local government and in Tarka local government because INEC staff were held hostage there.

  • Massive turnout in Enugu, INEC officials arrive early

    The governorship and House of Assembly elections took off as scheduled by INEC in all parts of Enugu state with an early turnout of voters.

    In most areas visited INEC officials and materials were already at voting centres just as voters continued to troop into polling units.
    In what appears a response to the call by INEC majority of voters have continued to arrive voting centres Saturday morning where commendable INEC officials were already on ground.
    Enugu is expecting a free and fair exercise just as was recorded during the Presidential and National Assembly polls.
    Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, contesting for reelection was at his polling booth, Amaube ward 1and 2, Orba where he cast his vote at exactly 9.35am.
    Resident Electoral Commissioner Dr. Emeka Ononamadu had called the bluff of APC leadership in the state who protested Thursday calling for postponement of the exercise.
    APC was however a lone voice as 70 other political parties in the state passed a vote of confidence on the REC and urged INEC to disregard whatever distribution and go ahead with the exercise.
    The REC who assured parties of a free and fair exercise in the state said he will not be intimidated insisting that the exercise would go on as planned.
    Addressing newsmen Friday in Enugu the REC assured that all arrangements has been put in place to ensure a hitch free excercise.
    He said that both sensitive and non sensitive materials had been distributed to various locations stressing that nothing will stop the conduct of the election.
    Ononamadu called on the peace loving people of Enugu to ignore all distractions and turn out enmasse to vote for candidates of their choice.

  • INEC postpones Adamawa constituency poll over death of candidate

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed the Nassarawo Binyeri State Constituency election following the death of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturday’s poll, Adamu Kwanate.

    Kwanate until his death was the member representing Nassarawo Binyeri State Constituency (Mayo Belwa LGA) in the Adamawa State House of Assembly.

    The election will now hold on 23rd Mar h 2019.

    The rescheduling of the election which was done in line with Section 36 (1) of the Electoral Act (2010) as amended will however not affect polls in other areas of the state.

    This is as INEC also confirmed the fire incident in Akwa-Ibom state.

    INEC in a statement signed by the National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye stated ” the Commission has been informed of the death of Hon. Adamu Kwanate, who until his death was the member representing Nassarawo Binyeri State Constituency (Mayo Belwa LGA) in the Adamawa State House of Assembly. He was also the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the same Constituency in the election scheduled for Saturday 9th March, 2019.

    “Consequently, INEC is compelled to countermand the Nassarawo Binyeri State Constituency election for tomorrow and the same has been rescheduled to Saturday 23rd March, 2019 in line with Section 36(1) of the Electoral Act (2010) as amended. The Governorship election in the constituency and all other state constituencies elections will however proceed as scheduled tomorrow.

    On the fire incident, INEC assures that it will not affect the conduct of the elections in the area.

    He also assured the general public that the commission will ensure that those behind it arson face the full wrath of the law

    He stated: “wishes to inform the public with regret of yet another fire incident. This time its office in lbesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa lbom State which occurred in the early hours of today, Friday. 8th March 2019.

    “While we do not at this point know the cause of the fire, a report has been made to the law enforcement agencies and the Fire Service. We are liaising closely with both agencies to investigate and ascertain the cause of the fire and if found to be a deliberate act, we will ensure diligent and vigorous prosecution of those responsible.

    “Several sensitive and non-sensitive materials for tomorrow‘s Governorship and State House of Assembly elections were destroyed including 198 Smart Card Readers, the printed Register of Voters, 13 Generators as well as several Voting Cubicles and office equipment.

    “Fortunately, the ballot papers and results for the elections were not affected and are intact. Acting timely, the Commission has been able to replace and reconfigure all the destroyed Smart Card Readers and reprinted the Register of Voters. With the replacement and the salvage of other items, we are pleased to announce that the election will proceed as scheduled. All registered voters in the Local Government Area are therefore requested to turn up to cast their votes between 8am and 2pm tomorrow. “

  • 12 security tips during elections on Saturday

    Many Nigerians are skeptical of their safety at the polling units in 29 states in tomorrow’s Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections.

    This is due to the many security infractions recorded in the just-concluded Presidential and National Assembly polls.

    The development accounted for the low voter’s turnout at the last exercise.

    For those who are concerned about safety, here are some security tips during the exercise tomorrow:

    * Ensure you go to the polling unit with the authentic PVC to avoid any form of harassment from INEC officials, security personnel and electorates.

    * Do not put on political campaign uniforms to the polling unit to avoid being targeted by opposition parties.

    *Arrive the polling unit early to cast your votes.

    * Do not disclose who you will vote for at the centres.

    * Do not argue about politics or condemn any candidate at the polling unit.

    * Kindly submit your phone(s) to the Presiding Officer before entering the cubicle.

    * Ensure no one sees your choice of candidate as you thumb print inside the cubicle.

    * Gently conduct yourself in an orderly manner before and after casting your vote.

    * Stay some distance away from the polling unit in case you intend to wait till the announcement of results.

    * Immediately report any suspicious movement or strange faces at the polling unit to the security personnel.

    * Do not engage in any form of electoral offences such as ballot stuffing or snatching that may endanger your life.

    * Leave the polling unit immediately if you feel unsafe or notice an imminent violence

  • Oyo: 42 candidates jostle for governorship seat

    659 for House of Assembly seats

    A total of 42 candidates are in the race for Saturday’s governorship election in Oyo State while 659 others are jostling for the 32 seats in the House of Assembly.

    Though some parties have adopted the governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Adebayo Adelabu and His Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rival SETI Makinde, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) told The Nation that such adoptions are party affairs which have nothing to do with its arrangements for the election.

    INEC’s Head of Voter Education and Publicity in the state, Mr Ayodele Folami, said the logos of all the parties which fielded candidates were already printed on the ballot papers, stressing that votes cast for such parties would still be recorded accordingly.

    READ ALSO: PDP cautions INEC against declaring Oyo South Senatorial election inconclusive

    He said as far as the commission was concerned, 42 parties fielded governorship candidates for the election.

    The INEC spokesman also disclosed that all sensitive materials had been successfully distributed to all the wards, adding that they would get to polling units before 8:00 am tomorrow. He disclosed that distribution started early Thursday morning to councils in far distances after which the materials for closer ones followed.

    With the early and smooth distribution of the materials, Folami said voting is expected to start 8:00 am across the state tomorrow as scheduled.

    He said: “From all signals, election will start 8:00 am tomorrow. No delay is anticipated. All is set for the election with regard to both men and materials.”

     

  • Anambra: 518 candidates jostle for 30 House Of Assembly seats

    A total of 518 candidates would contest the 30 seats in Anambra State House of Assembly in Saturday’s election in the state, The Nation gathered.

    Statistics from the state’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) revealed that Awka North and Awka South State constituencies, have the largest number of contestants which are 23 and 22 respectively.

    On the contrary, Ayamelum, Onitsha North II and Anaocha II are constituencies with least number of candidates in the exercise with 13 candidates each.

    While 19 candidates are contesting for the position in Aguata II, Anambra East and Awka South II constituencies, Aguata I, Oyi, Anambra West, Idemili North, and Ihiala I state constituencies have 18 candidates each.

    17 candidates each would be vying for the position from Onitsha South I , Orumba South, Anaocha I, Idemili South, Njikoka I, Nnewi North, and Onitsha South II state constituencies.

    Speaking with newsmen, the INEC Head of Department of Voter Education and Publicity in the state, Mr. Leo Nkedife assured the readiness of the commission to conduct a free, fair and credible election.

    He said, “Our men and materials will soon move to Registration Area Centres where they will sleep over so they can hit their duty posts early in the morning.

    He urged the electorate to come out en masse to cast their votes for candidates of their choice, assuring that their votes would count.

  • 1,048 candidates jostle for elective positions in Imo

    One thousand and forty-eight candidates are vying for governorship and house of assembly positions in Imo on Saturday.

    A breakdown of the candidates as displayed by INEC on Friday showed that 67 candidates are jostling for the governorship slot.

    Nine hundred and eighty-one are vying for 27 seats in the state’s house of assembly.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on the INEC list, Mbaitoli and Ikeduru constituencies have the highest number of candidates with 45 each, while Njaba has 32, the least.

    Following Mbaitoli and Ikeduru is Isiala Mbano, 42, Ehime Mbano, 40, Ngor Okpala, 39, while Ezinihitte and Oguta have 38 candidates each.

    Read Also: INEC regrets election irregularities in Imo

    The Action Alliance (AA), whose candidate, Mr Uche Nwosu is Gov. Rochas Okorocha’s favourite, alongside the PDP and APC are fielding the highest number of candidates, having 27 each.

    Popular comedian Uche Ogbuagu of PDP and Darlington Chimezie of the AA are in the race for Ikeduru constituency seat.

    Incumbent house majority leader, Lugard Osuji of AA, Solomon Anukam of PDP and Victor Mere of Accord Party are frontline candidates for Owerri Municipal.

  • Breaking: Fire guts INEC office in Akwa Ibom

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) office in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has been gutted by fire, few hours before the state’s election.

    The cause of the fire remains unknown at the time of filing this report.

    It is, however, unclear if the incident would affect the conduct of the governorship and state assemblies polls.

     

    Details Shortly…