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Tag: Prof. Mahmood Yakubu

  • 2019: No plan to postpone elections, says INEC

    There are no plans to postpone the 2019 general elections as insinuated in some quarters, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said.

    The commission in apparent reaction to a report in one of the national dailies said that the newspaper’s headline “We May Shift 2019 Polls Over Threat Of Violence – INEC”  did not reflect correctly the statement of INEC boss, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu at the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Security (ICCES) meeting.

    In a statement signed by Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman the commission claimed that at no point during his remarks did the INEC Chairman allude to the notion that the Commission “may shift 2019 polls over threat of violence” as reported by the national newspaper.

    Read Also:PDP cautions INEC over alleged plot to shift 2019 elections

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a story with the headline – We May Shift 2019 Polls Over Threat Of Violence – INEC – which appeared on the front page of a national newspapers today, but which did not correctly reflect what the Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said at the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting that took place at the Commission’s headquarters on 11th September 2018.

    “It is common knowledge that the Osun State governorship election will hold on Saturday 22nd September, while the 2019 General Elections are only 156 days away. The ICCES meeting, which takes place on a regular, quarterly basis, provides an opportunity for INEC and security agencies to evaluate and discuss the country’s security situation, with the aim of putting the necessary measures in place to enable the Commission carry out its mandate.

    “In his remarks at the meeting, the INEC Chairman told the security chiefs that with the 2019 general elections drawing close, the Committee would need to meet more frequently to constantly assess the security situation across the country and take proactive actions to forestall any unpleasant event before, during and immediately after the elections.

    “He underscored the fact that elections cannot be conducted under a rancorous atmosphere. He referred to Section 26 of the Electoral Act which, among others, gives the Commission the power to postpone an election “if there is reason to believe that a serious breach of peace is likely to occur if the election is proceeded with on (the fixed date)”, or as a result of natural disasters or other emergencies.

    “Prof. Yakubu made this reference to the Electoral Act only to underscore the importance of having peace and order in place before, during and after elections and to emphasize the significance of the synergy between the Commission and security agencies.

    “He also noted that the most important assignment before the Commission was the Osun governorship election, adding the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Osun State, Mr. Segun Agbaje and Commissioner of Police for Osun state, Mr. Fimihan Adeoye would brief the Committee on the current situation and state of readiness for the governorship poll. (Both Agbaje and Adeoye later briefed the audience).

    “Besides, he spoke on the rising phenomenon of vote buying and selling and harped on the need for collaborative effort to decisively tackle the menace and prevent it during the Osun governorship election. He said a Code of Conduct for security agents would be enforced during the elections and warned that any activity outside the confines of legality/ legitimacy will be viewed seriously.

    “The INEC Chairman also seized the opportunity to draw the Committee’s attention to a video clip making the rounds, in which some political actors were seen making inciteful statements that could lead to serious security breaches before, during and after the 2019 general elections. He called on the relevant security agencies to be vigilant, just as he urged them to take immediate action on the development.

    “He commended members of the Committee for their cooperation, which makes it possible for INEC to conduct credible elections.

    “It is thus clear that at no point during his remarks did the INEC Chairman allude to the notion that the Commission “may shift 2019 polls over threat of violence” as reported by the national newspaper.

    “To be sure, INEC has no plan to postpone the 2019 General Elections.”

     

  • PDP cautions INEC over alleged plot to shift 2019 elections

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against alleged plots to shift the dates for the 2019 general elections.

    The opposition party also advised the chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu not to allow the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Buhari Presidency to use him to execute their plots to frustrate the conduct of credible elections in 2019.

    Read Also:2019 elections: PDP already conceding defeat, says APC

    Saying that the plot was meant to push for illegal tenure elongation for President Buhari and the APC, the PDP told the President and his party to perish the thoughts of staying in power a day beyond May 29, 2019.

    A statement Wednesday by the spokesman of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan said, the opposition party was already aware of suggestions by the INEC chairman to have the elections postponed.

    The PDP further stated that the alleged plot was a product of series of clandestine meetings between the INEC and the APC on ways to frustrate the 2019 elections. It added that the APC and the INEC have realised that there is no hope for President Buhari in the 2019 polls.

    The statement said, “Nigerians and the international community have also noted the various ploys by INEC to frustrate a credible elections, including its stiff opposition to the amendment of the Electoral Act by the National Assembly to check APC rigging plans in addition to its exposed collaborations with INEC to manipulate the voters register, enroll underage voters and secretly creating 30,000 illegal polling centers in certain remote areas from where it plans to allocate fictitious votes to the APC.

    “Nigerians may recall that the PDP had earlier alerted of the plot by the Buhari Presidency to enmesh the 2019 elections into a needless controversy by deliberately delaying the presentation of the election budget to the National Assembly until the time the parliament was proceeding on annual recess.

    “Ostensibly to ensure that the election does not escape controversy, President Buhari demanded that the fund be taken from already approved budget for lawmakers’ constituency votes, despite entreaties by well-meaning Nigerians for a fresh budget for the elections.

    “Seeing that Nigerians are standing shoulder to shoulder with the PDP to resist and dismantle their rigging machinery, the APC and Buhari Presidency are now trying to use INEC to frustrate the elections and cause crisis in our country.

    “The PDP therefore rejects this plot by APC and INEC. The 2019 election must hold as scheduled. Nigerians are ready for elections and cannot wait to vote out President Buhari and his dysfunctional APC.

    “In that wise, our party cautions the INEC Chairman to open up, expose the Buhari Presidency and immediately commence the application of its constitutional First Line Charge funding instruments instead entangling itself with the plot to destroy our nation”.

  • 2019: INEC meets NASS leadership over budget 

    The controversy surrounding the passage of the budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2019 general elections may soon be over, it was learnt.

    Prof. Mahmood Yakubu led INEC management Wednesday met with the leadership of the National Assembly, where the budget issue was discussed.

    Besides, the commission has no other source of funding for the 2019 election, which makes it imperative for the quick passage of the budget.

    Read Also:Kashamu counters PDP, tells INEC, Police to disregard PDP expulsion

    Confirming the meeting to our correspondent Wednesday vie email, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi stated that the meeting between the management of INEC and the leadership of the NASS was fruitful.

    He also hinted of the possibility of a quick resolution of the issue.

    He stated, “Only today, the INEC Chairman led a team to brief the leadership of both the House of Representatives and the Senate on the election budget. It was a productive meeting. INEC has enjoyed a very cordial relationship with the National Assembly and we are hopeful that the budget issues will be resolved soon.

    “INEC does not have any other source of funding than the federal budget. The Commission is confident that the budget issues will soon be resolved.”

    Oyekanmi also confirm the possibility of knew political parties springing up before the 2019 general election.

    There are 68 registered political parties in the country as of today, this he however said may go up to between 80-85.

    Oyekanmi who was responding to a question on the possibility of emergence of new political parties ahead of next year’s poll said, “Yes. There are 68 registered political parties at the moment and we have over 130 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties. Our projection is that we might end up with between 80 and 85 political parties before the 2019 general elections.”

    Prof. Yakubu had in a recent briefing hinted that the commission was processing 136 request from associations seeking registration as political parties.

    He said out of this figure, 74 have failed the initial assessment of the suitability of their names and logos while 62 have passed the initial assessment. Nine (9) associations have undergone verification of their offices and proposed leadership while 16 are either awaiting verification or yet to supply supporting documents.

    On the ruling of a Federal High Court in Abuja calling for the arrest of the commission’s chairman, the media aide to INEC boss said the commission will not be joining words with the presiding Judge.

    He however stated that the commission had appealed the earlier ruling.

    “The Commission will not join issues with the Hon. Justice Pam. However, the INEC Chairman had already filed an appeal against his previous ruling and the Court’s attention was drawn to this fact,” he stated.

    A Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Pam on Wednesday  ordered the Inspector General of Police to arrest and produce INEC chairman in Court on August 14, 2018.

    On the latest issue of vote buying, he said despite the powers granted the commission by the electoral Act, it will be difficult to check the menace without the involvement of all the stakeholders.

    According to him, “Indeed, Section 124 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) identifies “Bribery and Conspiracy” as an offence and those who contravene it are liable upon conviction to 12 months imprisonment or a fine of N500,000 or both. However, INEC does not have the power to arrest offenders. But INEC wants all stakeholders to get involved in tackling this Voter Buying and Selling phenomenon. In any case, it is not a new thing, it only seems to be getting worse. Indeed, it is a threat to our democracy but it should not be INEC’s responsibility alone to tackle it.”

     

  • INEC to conduct four bye-elections same day, says Yakubu

    …Meets RECs to discuss voter registration, collection of PVCs

     

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) will be conducting four bye-elections within the next 30 days, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has said.

    Yakubu also said that the time-table and schedule of activities for the bye-elections will be released Friday.

    The bye-elections are: the National Assembly elections in respect of Bauchi South Senatorial district, Katsina North senatorial district and the Lokoja/Koton Karfe Federal constituency in Kogi state. While the fourth one, a state assembly is in respect of Obudu I state constituency. The seats were declared vacant by the National Assembly and state assembly.

    Read Also:INEC to ‘curb’ vote buying

    INEC boss, who spoke Wednesday in Abuja at the opening of a regular meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja said meetings with stakeholders in the affected states are ongoing.

    He said: “the commission is set to conduct bye-elections to fill the vacancies in the four constituencies which have a total of over two (2million) million registered voters spread across 3,355 polling units in 234 wards and 22 Local Government Areas.”

    “Consultations with stakeholders in the affected states are ongoing. Considering the requirement of the law that such elections shall be conducted by the commission within 30 days following the declaration of vacancy, we are planning to conduct all the four elections on the same date. The detailed timetable and scheduled of activities will be released on Friday this week,” he added.

    The bye-elections, he said will also serve as a test ground for the various innovations and improvement made on the process ahead of the Osun governorship poll scheduled for Saturday, 22nd September 2018.

    “These bye-elections will offer the Commission yet another opportunity to fine-tune our processes and procedures in preparation for the Osun state governorship election and ultimately the 2019 general elections,” he stressed.

    He therefore assured Nigerians that the commission will continue to improve the quality of elections in the country.

  • INEC expresses worries over 7m uncollected PVCs

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed worries over the number of uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    According to Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, there are seven million (7million) PVCs yet to be collected, while about ten million (10million) fresh registrants have just been added to the voter register.

    Read Also:563, 051 PVCs collected in Ekiti – INEC

    Yakubu fear that by the time the PVCs of the fresh registrants are available, there will be about 17 million waiting for collection.

    He therefore challenged the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to focus on how to mobilize the people to collect their voter card.

    “We need to focus attention on the collection of the available PVCs. We have about 7 million uncollected and the ongoing registration is going about 10 million, so we would end up with17 million PVCs.

    “So we should focus attention at this point on the collection of the PVC,” he added.

  • We’ll deploy enhanced smart card readers for Ekiti poll – INEC

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said on Wednesday the Commission would deploy enhanced Smart Card Readers (SCRs) for the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State.

    Yakubu, who also dismissed claims that card readers have been pre-loaded and Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) cloned ahead of the election, said electoral process in the country has gone beyond the capacity of INEC officials.

    At least 35 political parties will take part in the election.

    Yakubu, who spoke at the opening of INEC Quarterly Consultative Meeting with political parties, said: “In Ekiti State, where we are deploying the enhanced Smart Card Readers (SCRs), this process has not even commenced. It is impossible to pre-load the card readers, let alone do so with cloned PVCs. In any case, electoral officials at polling units on election day will cross -check the voter’s name on the voters’ register which includes the voter’s photograph.

    “The voter must be personally present in order to vote. It cannot be done by proxy or prior to election day. Is the voters’ register already given to each of the 35 political parties fielding candidates in the Ekiti governorship election, also cloned? Is the bearer of the cloned card also going to have a cloned face to match the original photograph on the register printed from our database? We appeal to Nigerians to discountenance this unimaginative theory which is similar to the allegation of ‘scientific rigging’ before a previous stand-alone governorship election in which the Commission was accused of deploying a special ballot paper that altered the voter’s choice within minutes after it has been dropped into the ballot box in favour of another political party.”

    The INEC chief, who described the claim that the PVCs are cloned and smart card readers pre-loaded, as simply ludicrous, said the card readers are configured to specific polling units not more than 72 hours to the election and can only be operated by 8:00 a.m. on election day.

     

     

  • INEC pledges effective participation of persons with disabilities 

    Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, has pledged to be committed and work assiduously with partners to ensure the full and effective participation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the electoral process.

    Speaking at a meeting to validate the INEC Framework on access and participation of PWDs in the electoral process in Calabar, Yakubu, said over the years, the electoral body in Nigeria has had to deal with the issues of exclusion of PWDs in its plans and processes.

    Yakubu, who was represented by National Commissioner, Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, said however, the last couple of years have witnessed tremendous efforts by the Commission to identity these gaps and mitigate identified challenges.

    “As a commission we are committed now, more than ever to meaningfully uphold and incrementally improve the gains made in the advancement of the rights of PWDs to accessible and inclusive electoral process.

    Read Also:INEC laments poor participation of women in elective process

    “It is important to note that this INEC Framework on Access and participation of PWDs in the electoral process is an internal work aimed towards strengthening the Commission as an institution that is inclusive in its human and financial resources as well as in its practice and process,” he said.

    Resident Electoral Commissioner of Cross River State, Dr Frankland Briyai, said the programme, coming at a time when the preparation for 2019 general elections is in top gear reaffirms INEC’s commitment to enhance the democratic process by ensuring that every eligible citizen of Nigeria including PWDs exercises their voting rights.

    “This is consistent with the commission’s vision of reducing inequality and exclusion in the electoral process. It is worthy of note that the commission has made significant achievements in assisting PWDs by providing magnifying glasses for albinos, electoral information on braille and so on during the 2017 Anambra Governorship elections and I believe that by the adoption of this operational framework today further guarantee the rights and privileges for PWDs can be achieved.

    “The efforts of the commission will no doubt boost the confidence of over 25 million people living with disabilities in Nigeria and they will all come out and exercise their right which is not only about votes but contributing their national quota to National development through building of a vibrant responsive democracy,” Briyai said.

    Resident Electoral Commissioner of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Mike Igini, said the meeting is to ensure that elections should be an all-inclusive process, where people with challenges are not excluded.

    “Come 2019 and beyond, every segment of the country eligible to vote should not be denied on account of challenges of disabilities. Because every human being at one time or the other would have issues of limitation in ability in terms of age, where you would not be able to do anything. The system should be able to support you to exercise the full right of a citizen,” Igini said.

    National President of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria (JONAPWD), the umbrella body of all disabled people’s organization in Nigeria, Ekaette Judith Umoh, said the validation would address the barriers they face in participating in the electoral process.

    “This is a wonderful programme and we have been looking out for it for over two years now. We are here to validate a document, which has to do with access and inclusion of persons with disability in the electoral process. We are excited about it. It will open up the political space for PWDs in Nigeria and the framework is about addressing the barriers that we face as PWDs in participating effectively in the electoral process.

    “We face a lot of barriers in participating in the electoral process. There are various levels of barriers such as institutional, attitudinal, environmental and social barriers. So INEC has taken it upon themselves to address that.  So with this INEC disability framework, all the barriers that would have stopped us from participating effectively is going to be addressed here,” she said.

    Resident Electoral Commissioners from 18 states as well as other relevant stakeholders attended the meeting.

  • We spent N100m on Melaye’s recall – INEC

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said on Friday the Commission spent only N100million on the failed bid to recall the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye.

    Yakubu said at a press conference in Abuja that the figure was nowhere near the N100billion reported in several quarters.

    He said: “A recall exercise is just like conducting a Senatorial election. The Kogi-West which Melaye represents has 552 polling units and seven local governments.”

     

  • Why electoral impunity persists – INEC chief

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on Thursday called for the establishment of electoral offences commission to reduce electoral impunity in the country.

    He said electoral offences commission would reduce “the brazen impunity with which electoral offences are committed.”

    Yakubu spoke at the Fifth Criminal Justice Reform Conference in Asaba, Delta State, organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Criminal Justice Reform Committee chaired by Chief Arthur Obi Okafor (SAN).

    On why electoral offences persist, the INEC chairman, represented by a National Commissioner and Head of Legal, May Agbamuche-Mbu, said most electoral offences were poorly investigated by the police.

    He said: “Another hurdle against the effective prosecution of electoral offences is the abject inefficiency of the criminal investigation machinery in Nigeria.

    “The success or otherwise of the case of the prosecution depends largely on investigation. The Commission’s legal officers rely on the outcome of the investigation conducted by the police.”

    Yakubu said investigating police officers usually return to their various postings after elections, while ad-hoc staff, such as those on national youth service, may have passed out before investigation is concluded.

    “The lack of statutory powers of the Commission to make arrest and investigate violations has seriously impeded successful prosecution of electoral offenders.

    “It is in view of the challenges to effective prosecution of electoral offences in Nigeria that recommendations have been made by INEC itself and other stakeholders for an independent body to be established to handle prosecution of electoral offences with such powers as conferred on the EFCC and ICPC to arrest, investigate and prosecute electoral offenders,” he added.

    Yakubu said a Bill for an Act to Establish the National Electoral Offences Commission was being considered by the National Assembly.

    “The creation of the National Electoral Offences Commission conferred with powers to arrest, investigate and prosecute all election offenders will go a long way in reducing the spate of brazen impunity with which electoral offences are committed in this country.

    “It is envisaged that the bill when eventually passed into law, will ensure speedy and effective prosecution of electoral offenders and strengthen our electoral process, particularly the conduct of peaceful, credible, transparent free and fair elections consistent with international standards and best practices,” he said.

     

  • Deployment of technology for elections has come to stay – Yakubu

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said on Monday the use of technology for conduct of elections in the country has come to stay.

    Yakubu, who was speaking at the opening session of a three-day conference on “Opportunities and Challenges In The Use Of Technology In Elections” in Abuja, said despite the numerous challenges with the use of technology due to Infrastructural deficit, the idea has come to stay.

    He argued that the benefits in the deployment of technology are immense as it has empowered the people to protect their mandates using various social media platforms to track result transmission.

    He said: ” Already, Election Management Bodies in our sub-regions and beyond have deployed technology in one way or another to improve on the processes, administration and outcome of elections ranging from training and capacity-building for electoral officials, promotion of inclusivity in the electoral process (youths, women, PWDs, IDPs and out-of-country/diaspora voters), the biometric registration of voters, delineation of electoral constituencies, geo-referencing of existing as well as the creation of new polling units, establishment of robust electronic databases, accreditation of voters during elections, actual voting and the speedy and more accurate collation/transmission of results. The deployment of technology has also empowered citizens, more than ever before, to organise, mobilise and protect their mandates using various social media platforms to track result transmission and undertake Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT).

    “At the same time, the deployment of technology has its numerous challenges. Given the deficit of infrastructure and expertise in many countries in our sub-regions and the regularity with which elections are conducted, concerns have been raised about cost, choice and effectiveness of technology. Furthermore, given the high stakes involved in conducting elections in developing countries, Electoral Commissions must understandably be worried about the twin issues of communication and security, especially in situations where data reside with, and is indirectly transmitted to the tallying centres through, offshore vendors rather than exclusively controlled within national boundaries by the Election Management Bodies. In addition, we have to contend with the disturbing but rapidly increasing incidence of election meddling through the deployment of counter-technology on a global scale by state and non-state actors.”