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Tag: Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).

  • INEC: We’re ready for Ekiti Assembly Bye-Election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ekiti State has expressed its readiness to conduct bye-election into the vacant Ekiti Southwest Constituency 2 seat.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. AbdulGaniy Raji, said a directive was being awaited from the Commission’s headquarters to hold the bye-election any moment from now.

    Read Also:INEC: we’ll conduct 2019 polls with existing laws

    The seat became vacant following the death of former occupant, Mr. Michael Adedeji. He was killed by suspected gunmen who opened fire on him in the early hours of October 26.

    Adedeji, who was rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti (FETHI) after being shot on the head at close range at a location in Onigari GRA, Ado Ekiti, died three days later.

    Raji, who addressed reporters in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, promised that the electoral umpire would conduct a credible poll to fill the vacant seat anytime the Ekiti office receives greenlight from Abuja.

    Speaking through agency’s spokesman in Ekiti, Taiwo Gbadegesin, Raji disclosed that he has written to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman on the vacant seat only awaiting directive to set machinery in motion for the conduct of the election.

    He said: “We are set for the election and we hope that the bye-election will be conducted by January. We have written to Abuja, I mean, to INEC National Chairman and we are expecting them to set the time table for us to conduct the election.

    “You know it is important for the constituency to have a representative to speak for them and the commission is not unaware of this. We are prepared for the poll, but we can’t unilateral decision, it has to be given from national headquarter.

    “I want to assure our people that there is no reason to be apprehensive about this, the bye-election will be held in due course, that we assure the constituents from that area.

    “The RECs all over the country are in Abuja holding meetings with INEC National leadership and I know this bye election will be tabled at the ongoing conference.

    “We didn’t disappoint Nigerians during the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State in spite of the fear that pervaded the land that the election could either be aborted or botched by threats from politicians, but we were above board and delivered.

    “This should be the expectation of our people anytime this by-election takes place.”

    The REC disclosed that the commission is battle ready for the 2019 polls in terms of logistics and personnel that would guarantee conduct of transparent polls in Ekiti.

    He stated that many of the personnel have been exposed to further trainings in Abuja, Enugu and Imo States, where they were taken to acquire new innovations  in electioneering process, particularly in the use of Information and Communication technology gadgets like smart card readers.

    “We are ready for 2019, because it is another crucial election that would chart a course for the country and we can’t afford to dissatisfy Nigerians.

    “We have resolved the issue of paucity of personnel, as we speak we have enough staffs to prosecute election.

    “Training is inevitable to the success of elections and that we have done and we will still do more for Nigerians to have elections that meet international standard,” he added.

  • 56 political parties ready for 2019 general elections – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 56 political parties out of the 91 registered parties in the country are set to participate in the 2019 general elections.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in charge of Rivers, Mr Obo Effanga, said this during a media briefing on Friday in Port Harcourt.

    He said that INEC was interested in all the 91 registered political parties, adding that the commission would only deal with political parties that registered for the election in 2019.

    The REC assured Rivers people that the commission was ready to ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2019, stressing that “we assure you that on the day of the elections, every material needed for the elections would be ready to ensure free, fair and credible process.”

    Effanga noted that the Card Readers would be used for the 2019 general elections.

    He pointed out that any voter who was not accredited by the Card Reader would not cast his or her vote.

    He explained that provisions would be made if the Card Reader developed any hitch in the process.

    Read Also:INEC begins display of voters’ register in Borno

     

    He, therefore, called on community leaders to advise their youths against disrupting the elections, emphasising that any community that could not advise its youths to be of good conduct, INEC would not conduct elections there.

    The REC urged stakeholders to play their part properly, saying that security agencies, the political class, among others, should ensure that the 2019 general elections were successful.

    He stressed that any politician who would have objections of any kind concerning the 2019 general elections should go to court to seek redress.

    He called on the electorate to pick up their Permanent Voter Cards at their areas of registration to enable them to exercise their franchise on the day of the election.

  • INEC tasks political parties on credible primaries

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ), has urged political parties to conduct credible primary elections ahead of the 2019 general polls.

    Alhaji Hussaini Pai, its Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Plateau, gave this advice in an interactive session with the political parties on Wednesday in Jos.

    According to Pai, credible party primaries will ensure free and fair general elections in 2019.

    “We want you to conduct credible primaries, because only acceptable primaries will ensure free, fair and credible general elections in 2019,” he stated.

    The REC said the interactive session was part of the commission’s plans in ensuring acceptable general elections in 2019.

    He described political parties as critical stakeholders in the conduct of any election, hence the need to educate them on its level of preparedness.

    Read Also: Why Nigerians should participate actively in electoral process — INEC

    “INEC is determined to deliver free and fair elections in 2019; in fact, we are ready for it, but we cannot do it alone, and so key election stakeholders must be involved.

    “INEC is conducting elections for the parties because they are the ones, who present candidates who will stand for elections. This is why this type of interaction is necessary,” he said.

    Pai also advised the political parties to sensitise members on the need to collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) from the commission.

    According to him, more than 200, 000 PVCs remain uncollected by prospective voters in Plateau.

    “The commission didn’t produce these PVCs for fun, it was produced for the purpose of election and I wonder why people will not come to collect theirs.

    “People must know that it is only when you have your PVC that you will be allowed to vote on election days.

    “So we are urging all political parties to sensitise their members to go and collect their PVCs to enable them vote in the 2019 general elections,” he added.

  • 2019: INEC ready for primaries–REC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) says it is ready for effective monitoring of the primaries of the 91 political parties.

    Dr Nkwachukwu Orji, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Anambra, said this on Friday in Awka at the quarterly meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.

    Orji said that though the number of political parties recently increased to 91, the commission had put in place measures for effective monitoring of the primaries.

    “We have put the security agencies on alert on the up-coming parties’ primaries in the state and I believe security will not be an issue during the primaries,’’ he said.

    Orji, however, urged members of political parties to be peaceful during the exercise.

    He also said about  100,000 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were yet to be collected in the state, adding that the meeting deliberated on ways to step up action for speedy collection of the cards.

    Read Also: INEC vows to tackle vote-buying

    “It is disturbing that we still have this number of PVCs uncollected in spite of awareness by INEC to make the owners of these cards to pick them up,’’ he said.

    Mr Mike Okoli, the state Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, gave an assurance that all security measures had been put in place for primaries and the 2019 general elections.

    “Even if the INEC says that election is coming up next week, for us in the security sector,  I feel we are battle ready to make sure that things work out properly,’’  he said.

    Mr Aremu Kehinde, the state’s Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), told newsmen that the scheme was committed to the security of corps members to be used as ad hoc staff during the elections.

    Kehinde, however, said that he was pleased with the arrangement made so far for corps members, assuring voters that they would be patriotic in their conduct during the exercise.

  • INEC denies receiving N50m logistics support from Jigawa

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has denied a newspaper report that it recently received N50 million from the government of Jigawa for logistics.

    Dr. Mahmud Isah, the Resident Electoral Commissioner ( REC ) in the state, made the clarification in a statement in Dutse, on Tuesday.

    Isah said that the commission had not received any form of support from the state government following the extension of the Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR ) last month.

    “The attention of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Jigawa state has been drawn to a publication in Daily Trust of Tuesday, August 28, 2018 on page 4 captioned PVC: Jigawa supports INEC with N50m.

    “The INEC Jigawa state office wishes to state in clear terms that it has not received any form of support/assistance from the state government during the extension period of the PVC/CVR exercise.

    “The publication came to us as a surprise, as the commission since the commencement of the CVR in April 2017 to date, has been adequately funded by the national office.

    “Hence, there is no reason why to lean on Jigawa state government or indeed any organisation for any form of logistic support,’’ Isah said.

    He however stated that the state office of INEC holds the state government in high esteem as a major stakeholder in election matters.

    Read Read: IPAC tasks INEC on Osun governorship election

    But, he disagreed with the comment of state Deputy Governor on the issue of extending logistic support to it as contained in the publication by Daily Trust Newspaper.

    The REC, therefore, urged the general public to regard the publication as baseless, unfounded and not true.

    “In furtherance to this position of the office, we are calling on all politicians in the state to desist from making unguarded statements capable of truncating our democracy.

    “We also want call on all media houses to always crosscheck their stories before going to press,” he added.

    He said that INEC in the state remained resolute in its maintenance of transparency, credibility, fairness in all its electoral duties that will meet national and international standards.

    “We will continue to maintain our neutrality at all times as an independent electoral umpire,” he emphasised.

  • 2019: INEC requires 2,600 vehicles for elections in Ebonyi-REC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) says it requires 2,652 vehicles of different types for movement of materials and officials for the 2019 general elections in Ebonyi.

    Prof. Godswill Obioma, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner ( REC ) in Ebonyi made the disclosure at a meeting between the commission and state officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW ) in Abakaliki on Wednesday.

    Obioma said that effective and timely movement of election officials and materials to designated poling units and voting points was critical for credible, smooth and successful conduct of election.

    He explained that the vehicles would be deployed to the 2, 293 poling units and voting points across the 13 local government areas of the state and INEC state Headquarters.

    According to him, the Transport Strategy Plan ( TSP ) is an innovation by the state Headquarters of the commission to achieve prompt and unhindered transport arrangement for the 2019 general elections in Ebonyi.

    The REC said it would send the final draft of the transport strategy compiled by the two bodies to the INEC headquarters for approval.

    “The draft strategy plan provides for the deployment of 2, 652 vehicles of different types for the elections in Ebonyi.
    “1, 326 vehicles will be deployed for the Presidential and National Assembly elections in February 16, 2019 while another 1,326 vehicles will be required for governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections making a total of 2, 652 vehicles.

    According to the arrangement, Abakaliki will be allocated 131 vehicles, Afikpo North, 92, Afikpo South, 76, Ebonyi 90, Ezza North 99, Ezza South 89 and Ikwo 135.

    Read Also: INEC submits revised 2019 election budget to National Assembly

    Others are Ishielu, Ivo, Izzi, Ohaozara, Ohaukwu and Onitcha local government areas will receive 105, 60, 142,78, 125, and 98 vehicles respectively while INEC state Headquarters will have six haulage vehicles.

    “The transport strategy plan is a deliberate effort and knowledge driven initiative by INEC and NURTW in Ebonyi to strategize and produce a concrete transport arrangement for 2019 general elections.

    “The initiative will forestall logistics failure in the state in the short run and develop a frame work for the smooth conduct of future elections in the long run.

    “The place of transport logistics in the electoral process obviously is central and cardinal in spite of the inter play of other critical intervening variables.

    “The relevant provisions of the strategy plan are the determination of total number of vehicles requirements local government by local government strictly based on actual needs assessment.

    “It also provides for 10 per cent projected increase for the emergency responses alongside revised logistics of both men and materials required for the elections.

    “The plan also prescribed criteria for admitting quality and sound vehicles to be used for 2019, a proposal for a cost free training of drivers on ethical standard and code of conduct among other key issues,” he said.

    The chairman of the state chapter of NURTW, Chief Oko Ewah led officials of the transport union to the meeting.

  • ‘INEC is working to achieve credible election in Cross River’

    ‘INEC is working to achieve credible election in Cross River’

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) is working towards achieving 100 per cent free, fair and credible election in Cross River in 2019.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner ( REC ) in the state, Dr Frankland Biriyai, made the statement on Tuesday in Calabar at a one-day workshop on voter Education and Publicity.

    The workshop was orgnised by INEC for Assistant Electoral Officers from the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

    “This training will ensure that we achieve a record 100 per cent success in Cross River in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

    “We are ready to achieve that; that is why you are being trained to go to your local government areas and educate the voters that we are in a new era.

    “I am sure that between now and 2019 if you do your work very well, voters will have faith in us and believe that we can conduct free, fair and credible election come 2019.

    “I urge you to maintain discipline and to keep working hard so that together we can do it, ‘’ Frankland said.

    The REC said the training was designed to take voter education to the grassroots through sensitisation and publicity.

    He insisted that INEC was capable of conducting credible elections that could be adjudged the best in the world.

    The Head of Department, Voter Education, Mrs Anthonia Nwobi, said the workshop would afford the officers the opportunity to learn new rules and guidelines that would assist them in their duties.

    She described voter education and publicity as key and paramount to the success of any election.

    NAN

  • IPAC urges parties to shun violence

    IPAC urges parties to shun violence

    The Lagos State chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Council ( IPAC ), has urged political parties to steer clear of violence during and after the Eti -Osa Constituency 1 election on Saturday.

    The council’s state Public Relations Officer ( PRO ), Mallam Shakirideen Olofin, gave this advice in an interview on Friday in Lagos.

    Reports that the election is to fill the vacant seat, following the death of the lawmaker representing the area, Mr Kazeem Alimi on July 18.

    He urged all the participating parties to conduct their supporters peacefully so as to ensure the successful conduct of the poll.

    Olofin explained that in any election, there would be winners and losers, and therefore, urged political parties to approach the exercise with the spirit of sportsmanship.

    “IPAC enjoins all participating parties to comport themselves properly before, during and after the bye election”.

    Olofin said that the state had been noted for peace and urged all stakeholders to ensure that the bye-election was a reflection of that notion.

    He said the deployment of a new Commissioner of Police, Mr Edgar Imohimi and a new Resident Electoral Commissioner ( REC ), Mr Sam Oulmekun, to the state was timely.

    Olofin said that IPAC welcomed both men while the state was looking up to them for the peaceful and fair conduct of the poll.

    The PRO also urged residents of Eti-Osa with Permanent Voter Card ( PVC ) to come out en-masse and vote for candidates of their choice during the election.

    He said that IPAC would render any required support for the successful conduct of the poll.

    NAN

  • Outstanding 2015 Rivers polls for Saturday – INEC

    Outstanding 2015 Rivers polls for Saturday – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Saturday for the conclusion of outstanding 2015 elections in Rivers.

    A statement by the commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mr Aniedi Ikoiwak in Port Harcourt on Tuesday said the exercise would hold Etche and Omuma Local Government Areas.

    The election, according to the statement, is to fill the Etche Constituency II seat in the House of Assembly and Etche/Omuma seat in the House of Representatives.

    It said that the election would hold in 147 polling units in 19 Registration Areas in Etche and one polling unit (Umuogba Community I) in Omuma.

    The commission encouraged eligible voters in the constituencies to come out en masse to vote for their candidates.

    ”The commission assures the public of a credible and fair conclusion of the election in Etche Local Government Area,” the statement said.

    It also said that security agencies had been contacted to provide adequate security during the exercise.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that following court rulings that invalidated the 2015 federal and state legislative elections in the state, INEC slated March 19, 2016, for re-run polls.

    Unfortunately, the exercise was marred by violence, which forced the electoral body to suspend the polls midway.

    On Dec. 10, 2016, when the re-run was rescheduled, it was inconclusive in Etche and part of Omuma areas due to some irregularities, prompting the repeat which has been fixed for Saturday.

  • ‘We’re not privy to allegation against Ondo REC’

    ‘We’re not privy to allegation against Ondo REC’

    The All Progressives Congress in Ondo State on Monday debunked the report calling on the Police and Directorate of State Security (DSS) to investigate the activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state.

    The state Publicity Secretary, of the party, Omo’ba Abayomi Adesanya, in a statement last Wednesday, also expressed the need for the total overhauling of staff in the Commission ahead of the November 26 governorship election in the state.

    Adesanya accused the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Segun Agbaje and the Commission’s Administrative Secretary, Alhaji Kabir Omosanya of complicity with the faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State led by one Clement Faboyede.

    He alleged that the two top officers of the commission have been having shady deals through an unholy alliance with key loyalists of the  Governor Olusegun Mimiko to perpetrate fraud ahead of the forthcoming governorship poll.

    However, the APC chairman in the state, Isaac Kekemeke said his executives were not privy to the statement.

    According to him,“before any statement of such could be made public,or even any policy statement from the party executives,it must be agreed upon and ratified by the party executives.

    “But the publicity secretary who issued the statement to the press must have equipped himself with facts of the allegation,which spurred him to unilaterally fired the shot without inputs of the state excos.”

    Kekemeke said he received calls from many APC leaders within and outside the state on the sensitive allegation in order to ascertain its veracity,saying“I just told them that Adesanya must have got the proofs of the allegation before issuing the statement.

    “Although,the allegation had caused a lot of embarrassment to the party,but as the Party Chairman in the State,I have no pre-knowledge of the allegation,and none of my state executives was aware of it,we did nt discuss it at any of our meetings and as such,we are not a party to the allegation against the REC”

    The legal practitioner said the state executive remains committed to the victory of APC in the state on November 26.

    Kekemeke urged party members to work to remain calm and mobilise voters for the poll.