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Tag: INEC

  • Why INEC postponed Enugu State constituency rerun election

    Why INEC postponed Enugu State constituency rerun election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the rescheduled rerun election for the Enugu South 1 State Constituency was postponed due to security reason.

    The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr Chukwuemeka Chukwu, disclosed this in Enugu on Sunday that the postponed election was cancelled earlier last week due to security consideration.

    Chukwu disclosed that the rerun election, which was fixed after stakeholders’ engagements to hold on June 8, would hold on a further date to be communicated by the commission.

    “Last week, the scheduled rerun election was postponed and duly communicated to all stakeholders with a clear reason for the postponement.

    “But I am surprised some misguided people are taking up all sorts of unfounded falsehood and rumours against the commission that it seems the election had been held in secret even as I am speaking to you,” he said.

    Mr Bright Ngene, the Labour Party (LP) candidate for the State House of Assembly was declared winner of the March 18, 2023 election and was sworn in but the election was nullified by the tribunal for being inconclusive.

    This is the third attempt by the INEC to hold the election.

    As early as 7am on Saturday, voters had converged in the affected polling units but no official of the INEC was seen at the venue.

    The LP candidate for the election, Mr Ngene, who was at the polling centre expressed dismay over the development.

    He told journalists that there was no information available to him and his party that the election would not hold.

    On his part, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr Sam Ngene, however, said the postponement was duly communicated to his party.

  • End post election litigations in Nigeria – Jonathan charges INEC, judiciary

    End post election litigations in Nigeria – Jonathan charges INEC, judiciary

    Former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Judiciary to end the avalanche of post elections litigations in Nigeria.

    Jonathan gave the charge while inaugurating the multi-Million naira State High Court edifice with the state of the art facilities and 24 hours power facilities completed by Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori government.

    The former president also flagged off the presentation of 20 Toyota Prado Sport Utility Vehicles, SUVs, to judges in the state.

    He said that the project was the third he had inaugurated in the state and had lauded Oborevwori for continuing and completing his predecessors initiated projects and programmes.

    Jonathan, however, said that it was good to give and equip the judiciary with the best edifice and to give them the needed comfort because Nigerians also expected the best from them.

    “I am glad to join the governor to commission this major project, this is the third project I have commissioned in Delta.

    “I commissioned  the state government house when I was in office and the Federal High Court Complex, so governor, thank you for inviting me to be part of this unique ceremony.
    The former president said that completing past administration’s projects would aid growth and development of the state.

    “We expect anybody who takes over to continue with the development pace and you are doing that,” Jonathan said.

    He said that the history of the high court building project began since 1991, adding that it was on record that with commitment, the governor was able to complete the project and inaugurate it.

    Jonathan said that with the inauguration of the edifice, it was a day to celebrate the judiciary.

    He said that the governor had promised to do more for the judiciary, but as the governor rightly said that “this is an edifice of justice, Nigerians are expecting the best of  the judiciary officers”.

    ” I just returned from South Africa on Monday, June 2, because I was there to observe their election that held on Wednesday, May 29.

    “One Nigeria journalists interviewed me and asked, What are the South Africans doing regarding their elections that we Nigerians can emulate or what Nigerians are doing that they can emulate?

    “I told him that one key difference between South African and Nigeria is that if a South African loses an election, and he goes to court, it is very strange.

    “But if a  Nigerian loses election  and does not go to court. It is very strange.

    “In Nigeria, my thinking is that 50 per cent of those who go to court, do so because they felt they where cheated by the electoral management system and were rigged out.

    “So, assuming the elections are properly conducted, that set of people will not go to court.

    “The next 50 per cent that go to court are those who know they failed election but they feel they can use the judiciary to declare them winners.

    “So, if the judiciary do not declare those who did not win elections winners, that remaining 50 per cent will also not go to court,” he said.

    Jonathan said that unlike in Nigeria, in South Africa, the electoral management body would never compromise and they all know.

    “So,  if you lose election, you just have to wait for the next election. You don’t need to go to court.

    “And if you go to court in South Africa, the judiciary will not compromise. So nobody goes to court but I believe we will get there one day in Nigeria

    ”So, the judiciary should  be very strong and do the right thing so that this avalanche of litigation  after elections will stop in this country,” Jonathan said.

    While congratulating the governor, government and the judiciary of Delta, he urged the governor to continue on that trajectory to manage the state resources judiciously.

    Gov. Oborevwori in his speech, lauded the past governors for initiating, awarding the contracts and for their commitment that enabled the completion of the high court project which began about 25 years.

    He said that completion of the building was in line with his commitment to the completion of projects inherited from previous administrations.

    Oborevwori said he was motivated to complete the project because the judiciary was the only arm of government without a befitting building for their operations.

    He said the presentation of 20 Toyota Prado SUVs to judges in the state was a fulfillment of “a promise made and a promise kept”.

    While thanking the former President for coming to inaugurate the project, he said the erstwhile President remained a great Nigerian patriot, statesman and unique leader, in and out of office.

    “On behalf of the government and good people of Delta State, I thank you for your friendship, partnership, and sustained interest in the progress of our dear state and Nigeria in general,”.

    The Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Godknows Angele, said the building consisted of five floors, six court rooms, six conference halls, six witness waiting rooms.

    It also has six holding cells, six Secretarial offices, two general conference halls, a ceremonial hall, Multi-purpose Hall, lawyers’ lounge, judges’ lounge, VIP lounge and a library, among others.

    In his remarks, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, represented by the Presiding Judge of the Court of Appeal, Asaba Division,  Justice Bolaji Yusuf, lauded the state government for providing the magnificent edifice as a temple of justice in the state.

    He expressed optimism that other states would emulate the Delta State example by providing similar magnificent temples of justice for the administration of justice in other parts of the country.

    Also, in her remarks, Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Theresa Diai, thanked Gov Oborevwori and his predecessors for the completion of the modern edifice.

    She describing it as a “magnificent testament” and enduring commitment to the pursuit of justice and excellence in the judiciary.

    The Chief Judge said the new High Court Complex had internet access and other critical Information Technology (IT) facilities in the building to enhance e-filing of court processes and e-payments for services rendered by the High Court of Justice.

  • INEC extends voters registration in Ondo, Edo

    INEC extends voters registration in Ondo, Edo

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) on Monday extended the Continuous Voter Registration, CVR for the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo states.

    The extension will only last for four days.

    Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner & Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, in a statement, said the Commission took the decision after its meeting on Tuesday.

    He said the CVR, which was scheduled to end Wednesday, June 5, has been extended to Sunday, June 9, 2024.

    Apart from the extension the electoral body also extended the duration of the exercise from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm daily.

    It added that the number of centres for the registration has also been increased to enable eligible voters to register for the election, stressing that 36 local government offices in the two states have been included.

    “More machines will also be deployed to areas identified to have peculiar needs such as difficult terrain or communal issues”, the statement added.

    The Ondo and Edo guber polls will be held in November 2024.

  • Edo: INEC urges political parties to play by the rules

    Edo: INEC urges political parties to play by the rules

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has advised political parties  to play by the rules and shun anything that could cause violence during the Sept. 21 governorship election in Edo.

    INEC Chairman ,Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, gave tbe advice during a meeting with leaders of political parties and members of Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security(ICCES)on Friday in Benin.

    He said violence would not give any  politician  or  political party any advantage in the election.

    According to him , only the people of Edo will  determine who becomes their next governor and that  INEC will protect their choice.

    Yakubu said he was in the state to assess the impact of the  May 24 flood on the commission’s head office in the state as well as monitor the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CRV).

    The INEC Chairman , however, said upon arrival in the state  he was told that the commission had received some complaints  about some discouraging developments in some wards.

    Mahmood said the commission was particularly not happy with  reports from Idiya College in  Oredo Ward 4 and complaints from Owan West.

    He urged leaders of parties to keep the peace and do their best towards successful conduct of the election.

    “I want to remind you that this commission in particular has had a long standing experience in handling governorship elections in Edo .

    “This is going to be our third governorship election in Edo . I was here in 2016 ahead of the governorship election.

    “I was here nearly four years ago in 2020 ahead of the last governorship election, and I’m here again ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.

    “However, I must commend political parties so far, that the build up to the 2024 governorship election in Edo  has so far been the most peaceful.

    “I know what went through in 2016, in fact the election had to be postponed, and I also know what happened in 2020, it was as if the world was coming to an end in Edo .

    “But you will also agree with me that in the aftermath of the governorship election, citizens of Nigeria in Edo state started dancing on the streets over the professional manner with which the election was conducted.

    “INEC has no candidate in this election, we are not a political party. The last two elections were actually won by two different political parties. So the next election will actually be won by one of you sitting there,” he said.

    Yakubu urged party leaders in the state to go beyond mobilising supporters for voters’ registration, but also mobilise people  for  collection of their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    “We have literally over 2000 uncollected PVCs in Edo state. These are for persons who have already registered. What is standing between them and voting is just to pick up the PVCs,” he said.

    The State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Anugbum Onuoha, said that the meeting was called because of the happenings in the state especially security matters.

    “Some of our centres have been affected by  shootings, and some of our staff have been affected by these unfortunate incidents.

    “It is important that we interact with the security agencies to see how we can provide a solution to this,” Onuoha said.

    On his part ,the state Commissioner of Police (CP), Funsho Adeboye, assured all political parties of enabling environment during the election.

    “Some of you said that we have been planted here. I don’t know by whom, and for what. I want to say it again, nobody has planted anybody to do something or anything that is against the law.

    “Please ,make our job very easy. Please play the game according to the rules. INEC which is the umpire has set the rules, we all know it.

    “There is no need for police officers to  carry guns on election day. I feel bad each time we do that, but we have to do it.

    “I wish we can do without arms during the campaigns, during the election and after the election.” Adebayo said.

  • Edo: INEC Chairman orders deployment of more registration machines for CVR

    Edo: INEC Chairman orders deployment of more registration machines for CVR

    The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has ordered for deployment of more voter registration machines to some centres in Edo, for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

    Yakubu said on Thursday in Benin, when he visited some of the registration centres in the state to access the ongoing exercise.

    He lauded the massive turnout of the registration at different centres in the state, and assured of doing everything possible to make the process seamless.

    Speaking at the registration centre located Western Boys Secondary School, Ward 2, Ikpoba Okha LGA, Yakubu directed that two additional machines and Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), should be mobilised to the centre.

    “The most important thing is for us to expedite the process. So what we have decided now is that tomorrow there will be two additional machines to this centre, to make it five machines.

    “There are two queues. One is for registration, the other one is for transfer and collection of cards. So they are going to reorganise the queues. But I’ve seen the numbers here, and one of the solutions is to increase the number of machines to this centre,” he said.

    Also at the INEC Ikpoba Okha LGA Office, Yakubu directed that additional registration machines should be deployed to the centre.
    He also monitored the exercise at Eweka Primary School in Use Ward 3, Egor LGA.

    Yakubu warned staff of the commission against demanding for money before registering people who presented themselves for the exercise.

    On observation that some political parties were trying to hijack the exercise in favour of their supporters, Yakubu said that the commission would be meeting with the state commissioner of Police and other security agencies in the state to address the concern.

    “My message consistently is that all the staff engaged in the registration, whether they are ad hoc staff or regular staff, should know that no one should collect money from any Nigerian who comes to register or transfer or request for replacement of cards.

    “This is a service paid for by the Federal Government and it must be respected. Where we catch any staff involved in this act, that staff will be dealt with, whether the staff is regular staff or ad hoc staff,” Yakubu said.

    Earlier, some of the prospective registrants on the queue commended INEC for the exercise and urged the commission to mobilise more registration machine to fast-track the registration process.

    Mrs Sliver Angela and Mr Oluwasegun Oketoki told NAN at the registration centre located at INEC Ikpoba Okha LGA Office, that they came out as early as 5a. m., to register and called for deployment of more machines to the centre

    “Most of us came here since 5.30. The machine was not working fast.

    “The INEC staff are trying to coordinate us but some of us are pushing to boycott the line. That is what is delaying us. Now they are attending to us and everything is going on smoothly.

    “If there is any alternative to bring additional machines, let INEC do so,” Angela said.

    Mrs Blessings Uwagwe at Eweka Primary School, also complained about the delay in the process and the need for more machines to be deployed as more people are coming out to register.

    Mr Oransaiye Nicolas, said initially one machine was deployed to the centre, but following their complaints, additional two machines were mobilised to the centre.

    Nicolas commended Yakubu for directing that additional machines should be deployed to the centre.

    Meanwhile, an INEC ad hoc Staff, Mr Oladele Emmanuel,deployed for the registration at the centre said he had no challenge with functionality of the registration machines.

  • Flood disaster: Edo election will go on as planned – INEC

    Flood disaster: Edo election will go on as planned – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that the Edo State Governorship election will go on as planned in spite of the damage caused by last Friday flood.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu made the disclosure on Thursday while affirming that the damaged facilities in the Edo office would be replaced before the September 21 governorship election.

    Yakubu said this during an on the spot assessment of the level of damage done to its facilities by the flood disaster occasioned by torrential rain in Benin city on May 24.

    The flood disaster destroyed some voter enrollment machines already configured for the Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

    Speaking after the inspection of the facilities, Yakubu said he was in Benin to assess the level of damage with a view to immediately profer solutions to whatever problems that has arose from the dusaster.

    He said the flood disaster would not hinder the smooth conduct of the governorship election in the state, adding that the commission would do an assessment of what was damaged and respond appropriately.

    He expressed joy that no life was lost to the flood.

    “This is not a regular visit. We are here to see what happened to our facilities after the flooding that occurred on Friday, May 24.

    “I came here with the Director of ICT because some machines were destroyed and I also came with the federal controller of works because he would be helping us to address the flooding problems in and around the INEC office in Benin.

    “Providing working equipment and ensuring a conducive work environment is as crucial as paying salaries. So we will ensure that we fix the damaged facilities before the election,” he said.

    The INEC chairman also disclosed that the CVR exercise would continue in spite of the damage caused by the flood disaster.

    He, however, described the turnout of registrants as impressive, stressing that the damaged facilities poses no threat to the ongoing CVR and election.

    “We took proactive measure to ensure that the CVR was not affected by calling for additional resources from neighboring states since INEC was one national body.

    According to him, the present Commission has enough experience in conducting governorship election and this is the third governorship election we will be conducting in Edo since 2016.

    Earlier, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Anugbum Onuoha thanked the Chairman for being proactive in responding to the disaster.

  • INEC begins voters registration in Edo, Ondo

    INEC begins voters registration in Edo, Ondo

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  has commenced Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in  397 centres  of Edo and Ondo, ahead of the state governorship election.

    Mr Sam Olumekun, the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee stated this on Monday in Abuja.

    He said that the online locator for the registration centres had been released for easy identification.

    Olumekun said however, that the venue of the exercise in Edo had been shifted to the Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area office located at 16, Custom Road, off Benin/Auchi Road, Benin, due to the flooding at the state INEC Headquarters.

    He said that to facilitate easy access to the CVR locations in the two states, the commission had already shared the hard copies of detailed names and addresses of the centres with stakeholders.

    He said that the locations had also been uploaded to its website and social media platforms.

    “In addition, the commission is releasing an easy online locator of the registration centres. Interested persons can send an SMS to a dedicated number (09136913660) from their mobile phones indicating the name of the State, Local Government Area and Ward.

    “ In return, they will receive the detailed address of the centre and a Google map to lead them there. Alternatively, interested registrants can simply visit our website http://cvr.inecnigeria.org/locator.

    “A short graphic of the procedure for accessing the registration centres has been uploaded to our website and social media platforms,’’ he said.

    Olumekun urged all eligible voters in Edo and Ondo who were not registered to seize the opportunity of the CVR to register.

    “ It is also an opportunity for those who wish to transfer their registration from other States of the Federation to the two States or from one location to another within the States to do so.

    “Similarly, requests for replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) can be made at the registration centres.

    “Furthermore, uncollected PVCs will also be available at the registration centres for collection on presentation of the Temporary Voters’ Cards (TVCs) by registered voters in person. No cards will be collected by proxy,’’ he said.

    Olumekun appealed to eligible Nigerians to come out en masse early to register and avoid last minute rush.

  • Flood damages INEC office in Edo

    Flood damages INEC office in Edo

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says its office in Benin City, Edo has been ravaged by flood.

    “The flood damaged a section of the building. It destroyed voters registration machines and other items,” Mr Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, said in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

    He said that INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo, Dr Anugbum Onuoha, reported that the state was completely flooded following a torrential rainfall on Friday.

    According to Olumekun, preliminary assessment shows that the heavy downpour damaged a section of the building, while movable and immovable items were submerged.

    “Property submerged included vehicles parked at the premises as well as office furniture and equipment,” he said.

    He added that some of the voter enrollment machines already configured for the forthcoming Continuous Voter Registration (CVR)  in the state were affected.

    “The commission is delivering additional machines from the neighbouring states to make up for the shortfall.

    “We are determined to ensure that the CVR will commence as scheduled on Monday, May 27, in all the 192 Wards across Edo.

    “However, in view of the emergency situation, the state headquarters will not serve as a registration centre as planned.

    “Instead, the exercise will now take place in our Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area office located at 16, Customs Road, off Benin/Auchi Road, Benin City,” he said.

    Olumekun said the attention of security agencies and emergency services had been drawn to the incident.

  • LG elections mere coronation – INEC

    LG elections mere coronation – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has advised States Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) to ensure that local government councils elections are credible in all states.

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this when he received the executives of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions (FOSIECOM) in his office on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He also advised state governors to allow the SIECs some level of independence to enable them conduct credible polls.

    Yakubu said the conduct of local councils elections was fundamental to the proper functioning of the Nigerian   democracy.

    He said that although both INEC and SIECs were created by the constitution, SEICs were responsible for the conduct of local councils elections, while INEC was uncharge of federal and state elections.

    He said that INEC was also empowered by Section 98 of the Electoral Act 2022 to conduct local government or area council election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Yakubu said that over the years, attempts were made to encourage the SIECs to maintain their independence.

    This,  according to him,  included the signing of Memorandum of Understanding with SIECs in the form of training, provision of some facilities, and institutionalisation of the culture of planning.

    He said that INEC also established the joint INEC/FOSIECOM consultative committee headed by a national commissioner.

    Yakubu said all these initiatives were done in the firm belief that by working together, the 36 SIECs would leverage on the experience of INEC for a progressive improvement in the conduct of local government elections.

    “Unfortunately, the conduct of local government election in virtually all the states of the Federation has become mere coronation of candidates of the ruling parties.

    “It is time to stop the coronation and conduct proper elections. State governors should allow the SIECs to have greater capacity for independent action.

    “Many of the SIECs have no functional offices in the local government areas in their states and cannot recruit their own permanent staff.

    “In some states, the SIECs are either not properly constituted, have no security of tenure or their critical functions have been taken over by government officials,” he said.
    Yakubu added: “Some SIECs are only constituted on the eve of elections and dissolved thereafter.

    “They are also severely under-resourced to the extent that some of them rely on INEC even for basic facilities such as ballot boxes and voting cubicles.”

    He said that consequently, many Nigerians including some candidate in local government elections mistook the SIECs for INEC.

    This situation according to Yakubu,  had forced INEC to reconsider some aspects of its relationship with the SIECs.

    “Our support is now largely restricted to the voters’ register as provided by the Constitution.

    “ INEC cannot shoulder its own extensive responsibilities and at the same time extend almost limitless support to other independent electoral commissions for elections outside our mandate across the country from our lean federal budget,’’ he said.

    Yakubu appealed to the commissions to learn from the FCT area council election conducted by INEC, so they could enhance the credibility of LG polls.

    “While there are legal and financial constraints to your operations, your independence does not necessarily draw from statutory or financial provisions alone.

    “The courage with which you discharge your obligation to protect the integrity and credibility of elections is the most important determinant of success.

    “There are no shortcuts to the discharge of this enormous responsibility,’’ he said.

    While assuring SIECs of INEC’s  continued support to push the boundaries of electoral reform, Yakubu said there must be a determination on SIECs part to do the needful.

    Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of FOSIECOM, Chief Jossy Eze, called for  review of the MoU between INEC and the forum to make SIECs more functional and effective in the face of changing electoral needs, challenges and expectations.

    Eze said it would also give the forum more impetus and new direction toward achieving the core objectives of conducting free, fair and credible elections at all levels.

    He also called for the development of a new strategic work plan for support to SIECS which the last plan was for the period of 2019-2023.

    Eze, also the Chairman, Ebonyi SIEC, appreciated INEC’S innovations to improve Nigeria’s elections as well as its support to the struggle of SIECS, toward financial independence.

    “We strongly believe that our financial independence is not only achievable but a sine qua non for virile Local Government elections in Nigeria.

    “FOSIECON has again,  recently submitted a memorandum to the National Assembly Committee on Constitutional amendment.

    “We solicit INEC to throw its weight behind our quest for true independence,’’ he said.

  • Edo election: INEC announces date to start distribution of PVCs

    Edo election: INEC announces date to start distribution of PVCs

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo will begin the distribution of about 373,030 uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) on May 27.

    The state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Anugbum Onuoha, made this known in Benin on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting on the forthcoming Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.

    Onuoha stated that the PVC collection exercise would be done side-by-side with the CVR exercise, also scheduled for May 27.

    INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, had announced to begin the CVR exercise in Edo and Ondo ahead of the governorship elections in the two states.

    Onuoha says while the statistics of registered voters in Edo is 2,501,081, collected PVC is 2,128,288 and uncollected PVCs stand at 373,030.

    He said both the CVR and the PVC collection would be a 10-day exercise, starting from May 27 to June 5, from 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. daily, including weekends.

    The REC explained that the exercise would be conducted in the 192 wards and the state headquarters of INEC in Edo.

    He also disclosed that each registration centre would be managed by two officials drawn from the commission and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

    “In addition to the registration of voters, the commission will also make available the uncollected PVCs for collection during CVR.

    “Also note that no PVC will be collected by proxy. Registered voters should come in person to collect their cards.

    “There will be no pre-registration option because of time constraints,” he said.

    Onuoha, however, appealed for the support of the media, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), traditional rulers and religious leaders in encouraging voters to locate and pick up their PVCs.

    According to him, the commission has published the final list of candidates for the Edo governorship election following the conclusion of primaries of the political parties.

    The Deputy Director, Voter Registry, INEC Abuja, Mrs Doris Kande-Wyom, who took stakeholders through CVR processes, appealed to them to mobilise prospective registrants for the exercise.

    The meeting had in attendance the chairmen of political parties, religious leaders, traditional rulers, security agencies, and CSOs among others.