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Tag: INEC

  • Rivers: Court stops INEC from releasing voters register for LG Polls

    Rivers: Court stops INEC from releasing voters register for LG Polls

    Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voters register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to conduct the forthcoming local government elections in the state.

    On Friday evening, Justice Lifu issued an order of interim injunction against INEC while delivering a ruling in a motion ex-parte brought before him by the All Progressives Congress (APC)

    The motion ex-parte was filed on behalf of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by a team of senior lawyers and brought under Section 13 of the Federal High Court Act, Order 26 Rules 1 and 3, order 28 Rules 1 and 2, and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court as enshrined in Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution.

    Furthermore, the judge also ordered the Rivers Electoral Commission and Rivers Attorney-General from receiving from INEC or using part of the National Voters Register relating to Rivers State to conduct local government elections in the state.

    Additionally, Justice Lifu restrained the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Service (DSS) from participating or providing security protection for the Rivers State Electoral Commission to conduct local government elections in the state.

    Recall that Governor Fubara recently released names of caretaker chairmen to all the Local government Areas in the state.

     

  • Just In: Court stops INEC from releasing Voters Register for Rivers LG elections

    Just In: Court stops INEC from releasing Voters Register for Rivers LG elections

    A Federal High court in Abuja on Friday stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing voters register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) , for the purpose of conducting the forthcoming local government elections in the state.

    Justice Peter Lifu issued an order of interim injunction against INEC while delivering ruling in a motion ex-parte marked FHC/ABJ/CS/987/2024 brought before him by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The motion ex-parte was filed on behalf of APC by a team of senior lawyers comprising Joseph Daudu, Sebastine Hon and Ogwu James Onoja, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) and brought pursuant to Section 13 of the Federal High Court Act, Order 26 Rules 1 and 3, order 28 rules 1 and 2, and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court as enshrined in Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution.

    The judges also ordered the Rivers Electoral Commission and Rivers Attorney-General from receiving from INEC or using part of the National Voter’s Register relating to Rivers State to conduct local government elections in the state.

    Similarly, Justice Lifu restrained the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Department of State Service (DSS) from participating or providing security protection for Rivers State Electoral Commission to conduct local government elections in the state.

    Also, the judge issued another order barring INEC, Rivers State Electoral Commission, AG Rivers State, IGP and DSS to maintain status quo ante bellum and not to do any act or take any further steps in furtherance of the conduct of local government elections in Rivers State.

    The interim orders are to remain in force pending the determination of the substantive suit in which the APC is challenging the propriety of the conduct of elections in Rivers local governments.

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    In granting the interim restraining orders, Justice Lifu directed the APC to undertake to pay damages to the five defendants in case its suit was found to be frivolous and that the restraining orders ought not to have been granted in the first instance.

    Justice Lifu also granted substituted service of the orders and other court processes on the five defendants through publications in two major national dailies before the adjourned date to attract the attention of the defendants.

    Meanwhile the Judge fixed August 2, for all the defendants to appear before him to hear the substantive matter.

    In a 13-paragraph affidavit deposed to by one Tony Okocha, the acting Chairman of Rivers APC, he averred that originating summons were taken out against the defendants due to failure of INEC to comply strictly with the provisions of the Electoral Act in respect of the management of the register of voters which it intends to release to Rivers electoral body for local government elections in breach and violation of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act.

    The deponent averred that it is only the voter register compiled, maintained, updated and kept in the custody of INEC that Rivers Electoral Commission can obtain and use to conduct local government polls as Rivers SIEC is not entitled to compile, maintain, update and keep in its custody any separate voters register.

    The APC acting Chairman, further stated that its originating summons and motion on notice are pending before the court for hearing and that it has become necessary to take proactive steps to preserve the substance of the case by restraining the defendants from tampering with or dissipating the main case pending the hearing and determination of the motion.

    He also averred that APC in Rivers State brought the instant application in the interest of justice for the maintenance of status quo ante bellum and preservation of the main matter.

    Besides, the deponent undertook to pay damages as may be directed by the court in case the application for the interim restraining order turns out to be unwarranted and frivolous.

    Meanwhile, all the five defendants have been directed to appear in court on August 2 to present their own respective responses.

  • CVR: INEC invites 246 applicants for validation of biometrics

    CVR: INEC invites 246 applicants for validation of biometrics

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has invited 246 applicants in the last Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in Edo and Ondo to come and validate their biometric details.

    Mr Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said the applicants comprised 82 in Edo and 164 in Ondo.

    Olumekun said that the commission, at its regular weekly meeting on Thursday, considered among other issues, matters arising from the last CVR in the two states held from May 27 to June 9.

    He said that following the conclusion of the exercise, INEC displayed the register for one week in the 395 wards across the two states for claims and objections by Nigerians.

    He said it was in line with the provision of Section 19 of the Electoral Act 2022.

    Olumekun said that after the manual process, INEC subjected the register to a further clean-up using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).

    He said that at the end of the exercise INEC discovered that the quality of biometric details for the 246 applicants did not meet the threshold for seamless accreditation using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

    The national commissioner said that although the number constituted 0.1 per cent of the 269,992 new registrants (pre-ABIS) in the two states, INEC was determined to give every Nigerian the opportunity to exercise his/her right to vote seamlessly during elections.

    “Consequently, the commission is inviting the new registrants to come forward for validation of their biometric details in the same locations where they registered during the CVR.

    “The exercise will take place from Monday July 22nd to  July 28.

    “The distribution of the 82 registrants in Edo shows that they come from four Local Government Areas (LGAs).

    “Ten are from Uwessan Ward 1 in Essan Central LGA, two in Emu Ward in Essan South LGA,  69 in Ofunama Ward in Ovia South West LGA and one voter in Irhue Ward in Uhunmwonde LGA.

    “The 164 voters in Ondo are from three LGAs.

    “Eleven are from Ofosu/Onisere Ward in Idanre LGA, one voter in Ugbo Ward V in Ilaje LGA while the rest are from Ose LGA (eight in Imoru/Arimogija Ward and 144 in Okeluse Ward),’’ he said.

    Olumekun said that before the end of the week, the affected registrants would be contacted using the mobile phones and/or other contact details provided by them during the CVR.

    He, however, said that a comprehensive list, including their polling units, had been uploaded to INEC website and social media platforms for immediate action by the affected registrants and for public information.

    Olumekun added that at the end of the exercise next week, INEC would provide the final detailed breakdown of the new registrants in the two states, followed by the timetable for the collection of PVCs.

    He urged the affected registrants to come forward for the validation exercise.

  • Autonomy: NASS told to stop Govs from conducting LG elections

    Autonomy: NASS told to stop Govs from conducting LG elections

    A pan-African students’ movement, Progressive Students’ Movement (PSM), on Monday, urged the National Assembly to enact a law that would stop governors from conducting local government elections.

    President of PSM, Bestman Okereafor, said in a statement in Enugu that it was imperative to make the financial autonomy granted the local governments to make the desired impact.

    Recall the Supreme Court had, in a judgment delivered on Thursday, ordered the Federal Government to begin direct payment of monthly allocations into local councils’ accounts.

    Okereafor described the apex court verdict as a landmark judgment and one which would have direct impacts on the lives of the common man at the grassroots.

    “This judgment will help strengthen our democracy, uphold our constitutional rights and the ideals of local governments regarding financial autonomy.

    “It will check the retrogression suffered by council areas in terms of governors solely and frequently appointing or handpicking caretaker chairmen and councillors in connivance with their respective state electoral commissions.

    “We commend Hon Justice Emmanuel Agim for standing on the path of freedom, equity and social justice. May God bless him for standing with the people.

    “As intellectuals, PSM is calling on the National Assembly to, as a matter of urgency, stop state governments from conducting local government elections for the purpose of transparency, fairness and accountability,” he said.

    The PSM president called for the conduct of local government elections by INEC through its zonal/state offices henceforth.

    “We are of the view that leaving the conduct of local government elections in the hands of state governors, who are not pleased with the Supreme Court judgment, simply means they are still controlling the local government chairmen.

    “The governors will want to remain the chief determinants of who gets what and how the finance is being spent in the council areas,” he said.

    Okereafor commended the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, for having the courage to pursue the case to a logical conclusion in the interest of the Nigerian masses.

    “PSM also commends President Bola Tinubu for allowing due process and rule of law by not interfering in the judicial process and equally affirming that the decision of the apex court is of historic significance.

    “We strongly believe that the Supreme Court judgment will, in no little way, help improve the economy of our people at the grassroots.

    “We are calling on our youths to massively contest at the local government level in their respective states for the renewal of the lost hope,” he stated.

  • Protesting youths set INEC office ablaze in Benue

    Protesting youths set INEC office ablaze in Benue

    The office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Sankara, Ukum Local Government of Benue was attacked and burnt on Wednesday by protesting youths.

    INEC confirmed this in a statement issued by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee in Abuja.

    Olumekun said that a report from INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Benue, Prof. Sam Egwu, stated that the incident occurred at 2pm on Wednesday.

    He said that the office was set on fire by youths in the area protesting against the activities of bandits in the area.

    “Although no casualties were recorded, the building has been extensively damaged.

    “Office furniture and other movable and immovable materials, including 10 electric generators, 300 ballot boxes and 270 voting cubicles, were destroyed in the attack,” Olumekun said

    He said that the attention of security agencies had been drawn to the incident and they had already deployed their personnel to the area.

  • INEC proposes 142 recommendations to improve electoral process

    INEC proposes 142 recommendations to improve electoral process

    Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the commission has come with 142 recommendations to improve future electoral process.

    Yakubu said this  at the opening of a two-day  Induction Retreat for Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Monday in Lagos.

    He said that the commission had published the report of the  review of the 2023 elections ,adding it was already available on its website.

    “But in addition, there is also the outcome of the retreats and engagements with stakeholders, which is right now being published.

    “I can tell you that the commission has made 142 recommendations on the improvement of electoral process in Nigeria.

    “As soon as the report is ready, we will go public and engage with Nigerians on this reforms.

    “The reforms are categorised, the majority are for implementation by administrative action by INEC, but some are to be implemented by security agencies.

    “We have those that require amendment to the electoral legal frameworks by the National Assembly. Some are to be implemented by political parties and other stakeholders.

    “Nigerians should be patient, as soon as we conclude the process very soon, we will share this report with Nigerians,” Yakubu said.

    According to him, in Nigeria, there is no election session any longer as the commission conduct elections round the round.

    He said that since the inauguration of the National and State Assembly in 2023, INEC had conducted nine by-elections and still had to conduct five by-elections  before the 2027 general elections.

    Stating that the FCT Area council elections would also be due in 2026, Yakubu said that there was no respite for the commission again.

    “As we innovate, we reflect, we review and we also implement,” he said.

    On Edo, the chairman noted that the flood disaster that hit the the state recently affected over 4000 Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machines at the commission’s office.

    He, however, said the commission  had been able to recover no fewer than  3500 of the machines.

    The INEC Chairman said  the machines in the state would not be enough for the election  and that the  commission would call for additional support from neighbouring states.

    On  the retreat, the INEC Chairman said it was not just about induction of new appointees ,but an opportunity to review performance, reappraise process, discuss innovations and engage service providers.

    He said that it was also an opportunity to interface with lawmakers on critical areas of reforms and explore new frontiers “in our continuous effort to improve organisational capacity for better service delivery.”

    “In March 2022, we had an induction retreat for new National Commissioners, followed by another one on election logistics in October and then another retreat for new RECs in November.

    “The most recent retreat was held in August last year for  the review of the 2023 General Elections.

    “Today, we are holding another retreat to induct 10 new RECs: nine of them were sworn-in on Dec. 12, 2023 and one of them on Jan.30 ,2024,” Yakubu said.

    He said that in a matter of weeks after the swearing-in, many of the  new RECs were saddled with the task of conducting re-run elections in a few locations in some constituencies or bye-elections in  entire constituencies.

    According to him, INEC will conduct four major elections before 2027 , listing them  as  Anambra, Ekiti and Osun governorship elections.

    “Therefore, as we think, reflect and innovate for credible elections, we are also instantly implementing the reforms and innovations that we can introduce by administrative action.

    “Since election is a process governed by law, we also plan to intensify our engagement with the National Assembly for activities that require legal reform,” he said.

    The chairman charged the new RECs to be focused on how to acquaint themselves more with the processes and procedures of the commission.

    He urged the existing RECs to leverage  their privileged field experience to mitigate recurring challenges in the areas of pre-election and post-election litigations, operational issues.

    He said that such experience should be applied  in the area of logistics, improvements in  voter education processes, issues of strategic communication and combating fake news, misinformation and disinformation as well as inclusivity in the electoral process.

    Yakubu said that the experience should also cover voter registration, allotting voters to polling units, the role of technology from pre-election activities to election day processes.

    He also urged RECs to help on political party issues mainly arising from leadership crisis and the management of party primaries, the recruitment and training of election duty officials, election security and our own code of conduct.

    The INEC Chairman charged them to bear in mind that the cardinal objective of the retreat was for improved service delivery.

    “I urge you to listen attentively to the presentations and, most importantly, contribute to discussions in a solution-oriented manner”.he said.

    Yakubu expressed the commission’s  appreciation to the Development Associates Inc. (DAI) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) for supporting the retreat  and many other activities of the commission.

    “The presence and goodwill messages of the DAI Team Leader, Mr. Rudolf Elbling and the IFES Country Director Seray Jay is a further affirmation of their commitment to transparent and inclusive electoral process in Nigeria.

    “We wish to reassure you that INEC remains committed to these ideals just as we are determined to continue to push the boundaries of credible and inclusive elections in Nigeria,” he said.

    Earlier in his welcome address, Prof. Ayobami Salami, the INEC REC, Lagos State, described the retreat as important and timely, saying that the platform would enhance electoral management in the country and inspire new ideas.

    Salami said that electoral activities globally remained big tasks that required, uprightness, integrity and diligence.

    Urging participants to take the retreat seriously, Salami said that at the end, RECs should be able to deliver a transparent, credible and acceptable electoral process,and one that is  devoid of bias and partisanship.

    In his remark, Mr Seray Jah, Country Director, IFES, applauded INEC for appointing experienced ex-staff as REC,saying the step would make election administration much easier.

    Jah said that IFES had been partnering with INEC over the years by providing technical support in the area of capacity building, training and other areas.

    According to him, elections all over the world are difficult tasks but there is no other country where elections are much more difficult to hold than Nigeria.

    “We assert our continuous support in advancing the aspiration of this commission,” Jah said.

    The retreat had in attendance RECs from the 36 states of the federation, directors and other management staff members  of the commission.

  • INEC has no power to conduct LG elections – Yakubu

    INEC has no power to conduct LG elections – Yakubu

    Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says the commission has no constitutional power to conduct local council elections except in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Yakubu said this on the sidelines of a two-day induction retreat for INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), on Monday in Lagos.

    Reacting to the agitation seeking constitutional backing for INEC to be saddled with the responsibility of conducting local council elections, Yakubu described it as ‘a constitutional matter’.

    According to Yakubu, unless necessary constitutional amendments are made, the commission will only continue to organise national and state elections.

    “The same section of the constitution that establishes INEC also establishes the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) and we cannot take over their duties.

    “It is good for people to engage in advocacy for INEC to take charge of the whole elections, but the constitution has to be amended for that to happen.

    “For now, INEC can only conduct the local government elections in the Federal Capital Territory with six area council chairmen and 62 councillors.

    “And it is in the FCT that the conduct of council elections has been regular and we are proud that the conduct of the elections there has been done to the best of our capacity.

    “So, we are encouraged by what we have done, but as for taking over the state elections, the constitution has to be amended, and we are not there yet,’’ he said.

    Some Nigerians are canvassing for the dissolution of the SIECs in the ongoing constitutional amendment, to pave way for INEC to take charge of local government elections.

    The proponents believe that state governors were hijacking local councils’ allocation due to irregularities in the conduct of the LG polls.

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had in March this year called for the scrapping of SIECs.

    Fagbemi said that SIEC’s function should be transferred to INEC, to ensure independence and transparency in the outcome of local government elections in the country.

  • Tenure of LG Chairmen, councillors now 4 years – INEC Chair, Mahmood Yakubu

    Tenure of LG Chairmen, councillors now 4 years – INEC Chair, Mahmood Yakubu

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday said that the tenure of the incumbent chairmen and councillors of the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will expire in June 2026.

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood  Yakubu made the clarification in Abuja at a meeting of the commission with the leaders of  Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) FCT chapter, led by the council’s National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle.

    The delegation was at INEC with the sole purpose of seeking the commission’s clarification on the tenure of the current officers of the six area councils as well as the 62 councillors in the FCT.

    He said that based on the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended), the current elected executives of FCT area councils have a four-year tenure.

    Yakubu said that INEC had earlier received inquiries from some law firms, an individual, a political party and one FCT Chairmanship Aspirants’ Forum regarding the tenure of FCT area councils and demands for the Commission to release timetable for the elections.

    He said that the inquiries were based on the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) which was the subsisting law at the time the area council elections were held on Feb. 12 2022.

    “The Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) provides for a three-year tenure for Chairmen and Councillors which, in their opinion, expires 2025.

    “However, Nigerians are aware that the National Assembly has since repealed and re-enacted the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) as the Electoral Act 2022.

    “In particular, in the exercise of its powers as the law-making body for the FCT, the National Assembly extended the tenure of the Area Councils from three to four years, thereby aligning it with executive and legislative elections nationwide.

    “This is one of the important provisions of the Electoral Act 2022. The Act came into force on Friday Feb. 25 2022, two weeks after the last Area Council elections in the FCT.

    “By the time the elected Chairmen and Councillors were sworn-in four months later on June 14, 2022, they took their oath of allegiance and oath of office on the basis of the new electoral Act (i.e. the Electoral Act 2022) which provides for a four-year tenure.

    “Consequently, their tenure therefore expires in June 2026,’’ Yakubu said.

    The INEC chairman said tenure was not defined by the date of election but the date of the oath of office for executive elections or the date of inauguration for legislative houses.

    Yakubu said that an officer-elect (president/vice, governor, senator, house member, chairman or councillor) cannot exercise the powers of office and draw from the remunerations attached to it until such a person is sworn-in or the legislative house is inaugurated.

    “The Constitution empowers INEC to hold elections not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the end of tenure of incumbent officers.

    “In the case of the FCT, Section 108(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 under which the current Chairmen and Councillors were sworn-in on 14th June 2022 is clear and therefore unambiguous:

    “(1) An Area Council shall stand dissolved at the expiration of 4 years commencing from the date –

    (a)          When the Chairman took the oath of office; or (b) when the legislative arm of the Council was inaugurated whichever is earlier”.

    Yakubu added that there were several judicial authorities; including the judgement of the Supreme Court that tenure begins from the date of oath of office and not the date of election.

    “The Law Firms that have written INEC on behalf of their clients ought to have drawn their attention to both the law and judicial pronouncements on the matter.

    “You may also wish to note that when the Electoral Act 2022 was signed into law two weeks after the commission conducted the last area council elections in the FCT, the incumbent holders (chairmen and councillors) challenged us;

    “That we conducted the election too early, claiming that the new Electoral Act extended their tenure from three to four years.

    “We reminded them that they took their oath of office under the old law before the coming into force of the new Electoral Act. Therefore, their tenure will expire in June 2022,’’ Yakubu said.

    He reassured IPAC that INEC was aware of its responsibilities under the law, hence would release the timetable and schedule of activities for the election at the appropriate time.

    He said that the FCT area council election conducted by INEC remained a model for local government elections in the country.

    He pledged that INEC would continue to uphold the sanctity of tenure and improve the credibility of those elections.

    Yakubu appealed to all persons with ambition to contest for the positions of chairmen and councillors in the FCT to be guided by the provisions of the law and judicial pronouncements on the issue of tenure.

    He also appealed to political parties to enlighten their members accordingly

    Speaking earlier, Dantalle said they were at INEC for the commission to clarify the tenure of the FCT area council.

    “There have been issues about if they are meant to spend three or four years in office.

    “I recall that in the previous meeting, the national leadership of political parties had with the commission, this issue has been clarified.

    “But I feel it will be necessary to invite IPAC general assembly of the FCT to come with me to the commission for first-hand information about the status of the tenor of the elected officers in FCT,’’ Dantalle said.

  • INEC publishes final list of candidates for Ondo gov poll

    INEC publishes final list of candidates for Ondo gov poll

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the final list of candidates and their running mates for Nov. 16 Ondo State governorship election.

    Mr Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee,disclosed this in a statement issued  in Abuja on Thursday.

    According to him ,personal particulars of the candidates and their running mates have been published at INEC state and local government offices in Ondo State.

    Olumekun said that in line with the provision of Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, two political parties, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) conducted fresh primaries to replace their earlier nominated candidates and their running mates by the deadline of June 10.

    He also disclosed that five parties; the African Action Congress (AAC), the Action Democratic Party (ADP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), replaced their running mates only.

    “Overall, 17 political parties are fielding candidates for the election. No political party has nominated a female candidate while one candidate nominated by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is a person with disability (a paraplegic).

    “The final list also gives the breakdown of the candidates by age and academic qualifications.

    “The list has been published at our office in Akure and also uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information,” he said.

    Olumekun said that with the conclusion of the nomination process, political parties were now permitted to start public  campaigns from Wednesday (June 19) till the midnight of  Nov. 14.

    “As parties commence this critical phase of the election, the commission once again reminds candidates, agents and their supporters of the provision of the law and the Commission’s guidelines governing such activity.

    “For emphasis, parties shall conduct their campaigns with civility and decorum devoid of inciting language, violence, voter inducement and other infractions in accordance with the provisions of Section 92-97 of the Electoral Act 2022,” Olumekun said.

  • INEC sounds strong warning to officials for Edo, Ondo elections

    INEC sounds strong warning to officials for Edo, Ondo elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),  has warned its personnel against unethical and corrupt practices in the upcoming Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu gave the warning on Monday  in Abuja at a  lecture in honour of late Abubakar Momoh, former Director-General of the Electoral Institute (TEI), from August 2013 to May 2017.

    Yakubu, represented by the National Commissioner, and Chairman, Board of Electoral Institute, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, warned that any unethical practice before, during and after those elections would  incur severe punishments under the law.

    The theme of the lecture was:  “Achieving Professionalism among Election Personnel through Effective Training in Preparation for the Edo and Ondo Governorship Elections.’’

    Yakubu said the success of any election largely depended on the professionalism and competence of those responsible for conducting it.

    He advised electoral officers to be guided by the following principles of integrity, impartiality, transparency, professionalism, gender and disability sensitive.

    He said it was important for electoral personnel to be knowledgeable, skilled and well-equipped with relevant competencies to handle the complexities and challenges of the electoral process.

    “Moreover, the crucial role election personnel play in upholding the integrity of our democratic processes cannot be overstressed.

    “The manner, in which they discharge their duties and responsibilities, affects the degree of confidence voters will have in the electoral process which will impact on their participation and turn out,’’ he said.

    Yakubu said that to ensure credibility and trustworthiness in elections and build trust among the electorate, INEC had always prioritised the professional development of its election personnel.

    He said the commission identified effective and efficient electoral training as the key to unlocking professionalism among election personnel.

    “The commission’s involvement in effective training programmes has empowered its staff to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism, in order to strengthen our processes and procedures to serve the interests of all Nigerians,’’ he said.

    He said that through training, INEC was able to deepen electoral knowledge and strengthen the skills and competences of personnel over time.

    The TEI Director-General, Dr Sa’ad Idris in his remarks, said that INEC in pursuit of its mission and vision had prioritised professionalism toward achieving free, credible, transparent and inclusive elections.

    “As we prepare for the 2024 Edo and Ondo  off cycle governorship elections, the commission is assured that the outcome of effective training of Election personnel will manifest in the high level of professionalism.