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Tag: INEC

  • 2019 Elections: We are ready to conduct Diaspora voting if…INEC

    2019 Elections: We are ready to conduct Diaspora voting if…INEC

    The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has said it is ready to conduct diaspora voting if the government provided the Commission with adequate funds for t exercise.

    The INEC chair also urged the National Assembly to quicken the amendment of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act.

    Yakubu made the call in Ibadan on Wednesday, at an International Conference organised by the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan.

    The theme of the conference is “Enfranchising the African Diaspora: Comparing Notes across Sub-Saharan Africa.’’

    Yakubu was represented by a National Commissioner of INEC, Prof. Anthonia Simbinne.

    He said that the conference was organised to underscore the importance of the card reader and electronic voting towards deepening the electoral process and allowing Diaspora voting.

    The chairman said that although the 2015 elections cost approximately N100 billion, conducting Diaspora voting in the next 18 months would gulp millions of dollars.

    He explained that Diaspora voting would start with registration of Nigerians in Diaspora.

    “The commission is ready for Diaspora voting, but problematic issues related to Diaspora voter registration components must be resolved,’’ he said.

    Yakubu said that there was the need for deeper and further consultations with stakeholders in as much as the Diaspora voting was desirable and possible.

    “It is important to state categorically that the commission is committed to implementing any and every activity that will improve the electoral process and accessibility of franchise to all Nigerians.

    “The introduction of card reader and electronic voting has led to instances where polls have had to be cancelled due to non-use of smart card reader,’’ he said.

    In her address, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said that the discussion about Diaspora could no longer be relegated.

    Represented by her Special Assistant on Media, Abdulraham Balogun, she said that there was the need to examine certain dynamics, intricacies and realities of the Nigerian Diaspora.

    According to Daburu-Erewa, there are several ways African nations can move to enfranchise their Diaspora when adequate legislative frameworks have been affirmed.

    “I do not propose an absolute or sweeping legislative framework. The political climate of individual nations should dictate the texture of the policy formulation,’’ she said.

    The Head, Diaspora and Transnational Studies, Institute of African Studies, Dr Senayon Olaoluwa, said that the conference was organised to attend to the political needs of Nigerians in Diaspora.

    Olaoluwa said that the place of the Diaspora on their homeland development could no longer be undermined.

    The Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, said that the institution had continued to offer leadership by being the first to have a programme focusing on the Diaspora and Transnational Studies.

    Olayinka said that African Diaspora could not continue to be pushed to the margin.

    He said that African Diaspora had taken the centre stage in the transformation of Africa in politics and economy as well as social fronts.

     

     

     

    NAN

  • BREAKING: INEC formally receives ‘six bags of signatures’ requesting Melaye’s recall from Senate

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Wednesday received signatures from the electorates in Kogi West Senatorial District demanding the recall of lawmaker representing the zone, Dino Melaye from the Senate.

    The electorates submitted their signatures at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja in six bags.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that an insider in the Kogi State Government on Tuesday confided in newsmen that the compiled signatures will formally arrive at INEC headquarters on Wednesday (today).

    The source explained that all that needs to be done has been completed and “it is left to INEC to take the next course of action.”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that a total of 188,580 electorates from Kogi West Senatorial District already signed the recall register form of the senator.

    Announcing the figure at the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Secretariat in Lokoja, the returning officer for the recall of the serving senator, Adamu Yusuf, explained that out of 360,098 of the total registered voters of the seven western senatorial districts comprising Yagba, Mopa Muro, Kabba Bunu, Yagba East, Koton Karfe, Lokoja and Ijumu, 188, 588, signed the recall register constituting 52.3% of the voters in senatorial district.

    “Going by the above figures, it is important to let Nigerians know that we have met the Constitutional requirements of 51.1%. Dino has failed to represent Kogi West so we are calling him back home,” Yusuf added.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that INEC had last week denied knowledge of the recall process of Senator Melaye.

    Details later…

  • INEC to formally receive petition recalling Dino Melaye Wednesday

    All is now set for the formal receipt a petition to recall Senator Dino Melaye tomorrow (Wednesday) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    This was confirmed to newsmen by an anonymous source in the Kogi State Government.

    The source explained that all that needs to be done has been completed and “it is left to INEC to take the next course of action.”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that a total of 188,580 electorates from Kogi West Senatorial District already signed the recall register form of the senator.

    Announcing the figure at the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Secretariat in Lokoja, the returning officer for the recall of the serving senator, Adamu Yusuf, explained that out of 360,098 of the total registered voters of the seven western senatorial districts comprising Yagba, Mopa Muro, Kabba Bunu, Yagba East, Koton Karfe, Lokoja and Ijumu, 188, 588, signed the recall register constituting 52.3% of the voters in senatorial district.

    “Going by the above figures, it is important to let Nigerians know that we have met the Constitutional requirements of 51.1%. Dino has failed to represent Kogi West so we are calling him back home,” Yusuf added.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that INEC had last week denied knowledge of the recall process of Senator Melaye.

  • 2019: INEC issues certificate of registration to APDA, YPP, 3 others

    2019: INEC issues certificate of registration to APDA, YPP, 3 others

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued certificate of registration to the five newly registered political parties in Nigeria.

    The parties are; Young Progressive Party (YPP), Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA), New Generation Party of Nigeria (NGP), All Democratic Peoples Movement (ADPM) and Action Democratic Party (ADP).

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that INEC had last week announced the registration of the new parties.

    This brings to 45, the number of registered political parties in the country.

    Adedeji Soyebi, INEC’s Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, made the disclosure at the end of the commission’s meeting in Kaduna.

    “At present, 95 associations have applied to the commission for registration as political parties. Two of the associations voluntarily withdrew their applications.

    “The commission today approved the applications of five of the associations which have fulfilled the constitutional requirements for registration,” Soyebi said.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the electoral umpire also announced its decision to register more political parties before the 2019 elections.

    The commission stated that the process of registering new political parties would continue until six months to the conduct of the next general elections as stipulated under the law.

    It added that the registration of the five new political parties was not final, noting that any political association that meets its requirements will be registered.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Founder of Daar Communications and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Raymond Dokpesi, alongside other notable politicians recently floated a new political party the Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance, APDA.

  • We are not aware of Melaye’s recall move from Senate – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is not aware of any moves to recall Sen. Dino Malaye, representing Kogi West Senatorial District.

    INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity (VEP), Mr Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, said this in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

    Explaining the processes involved in recalling and elected lawmaker, Osaze-Uzzi said that a petition signed by at least 50 per cent of the registered voters in that senatorial district must be submitted to the commission.

    “It is only when the petitioners get 50 per cent of the registered voters that they can submit a recall petition to the commission.

    “That is when INEC can commence the recall process, but we have not received such petition.’’

    Osaze-Uzzi said that upon the receipt of such petition, the commission would also embark on a verification, to ascertain whether the recall petition was actually signed by registered voters in that senatorial district.

    He said that in conducting the verification of the signatures, the commission would also need to inform the senator involved and the petitioner, to set a date for agents from both sides to be involved in the exercise.

    “It is only when we are satisfied with that, we now go for a referendum. That is what the constitution states.

    “For now, we don’t know if anybody is trying to recall him until a petition is submitted to the commission.’’

    The director further said that the commission would notify the public if anybody or group was able to mobilise the required number of signatures and send a petition to the commission.

    Meanwhile, Melaye had alleged that Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi had released N200 million for the reported ongoing moves to recall him.

  • INEC confirms theft of voters registration machine in Rivers

    INEC confirms theft of voters registration machine in Rivers

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has confirmed the theft of the Direct Data Capturing, DDC equipment being used for the voters registration exercise in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers state.

    The INEC equipment alongside with council properties were allegedly stolen from Emohua Local Government Council.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner in charge of Rivers State, Aniedi Ikoiwak confirmed the incident after visiting the Emohua council headquarters.

    A statement signed by INEC’s Administrative Secretary in Rivers State, Richard Ntui assured that the commission is making effort to ensure that no eligible voter in Emohua is denied registration.

    The commission also advised the authority to provide adequate security for INEC office and the council in order to avoid a recurrence of this incident.

  • 2019: INEC to register more political parties

    2019: INEC to register more political parties

    Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it may register more political parties.

    The commission stated that the process of registering new political parties would continue until six months to the conduct of the next general elections as stipulated under the law.

    It added that the registration of five new political parties on Wednesday was not final, noting that any political association that meets its requirements will be registered.

    The Director of Publicity and Voter Education at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, Oluwole Ozassi-Uzi, told our correspondent on Friday, that those who had put in application for registration of new political parties should not lose hope.

    The commission had said that 95 political associations put in applications to the commission to be registered as political parties.

    While it said two of the associations withdrew their application letters, five others have been registered as political parties.

    The five successful parties are Young Progressive Party, Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance, New Generation Party of Nigeria, All Democratic Peoples Movement and Action Democratic Party.

    In registering the parties, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Adedeji Soyebi, had stated that the commission approved the applications of the five associations because they fulfilled “the constitutional requirements for registration.”

    With the registration of the new parties, there are now 45 political parties in Nigeria.

    Ozassi-Oluwole said, “Yes, I can confirm to you that we have not closed our doors to the registration of new political parties before the conduct of general elections in 2019.

    “We registered the five that we announced based on the criteria in the constitution and I can tell you that if new associations come up tomorrow and meet those conditions, they would equally be registered.”

  • JUST IN: 2019: INEC registers 5 new political parties

    JUST IN: 2019: INEC registers 5 new political parties

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday announced the registration of five new political parties ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Mr Adedeji Soyebi, INEC’s Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, made this known at the end of the commission’s meeting in Kaduna.

    The new political parties, according to Soyebi, are Young Progressive Party (YPP), Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA), New Generation Party of Nigeria (NGP), All Democratic Peoples Movement (ADPM) and Action Democratic Party (ADP).

    This brings to 45, the number of registered political parties in the country.

    “At present, 95 associations have applied to the commission for registration as political parties. Two of the associations voluntarily withdrew their applications.

    “The commission today approved the applications of five of the associations which have fulfilled the constitutional requirements for registration,” Soyebi said.

    On ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), which began on April 27, he said that no fewer than 760,989 voters had so far been registered nationwide.

    He explained that the figure was made up of 59.5 per cent of males and 40.5 per cent, females.

    “So far, 31,808 persons have collected their PVCs while 34, 560 others applied for transfer of Polling Units.”

    He said that due to budgetary constraints, INEC could not currently decentralize the voter registration to the Registration Area level, adding, however, that due consideration would be given to certain areas with peculiar challenges.

    Soyebi stated that the commission had noted the challenges encountered so far, and was addressing them.

    In view of the Anambra governorship election scheduled for Nov. 17, Soyebi said that the CVR would be decentralized to the Registration Area (Ward) level from Aug. 10 to Aug. 16.

    He added that the same consideration, at the appropriate time, would be given to Ekiti and Osun ahead of governorship elections in the states in 2018.

  • Elections: Science Ministry develops indigenous e-voting machine

    Elections: Science Ministry develops indigenous e-voting machine

    Indigenous Electronic-Voting Machine produced by the Ministry of Science and Technology will address challenges of electoral process in the country.

    Dr Ogbonnaya Onu made this known when he received prototype of the NASENI Solar-powered e-Voting Machine presented to him by Prof. Sani Haruna, the Executive Vice Chairman, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).

    According to him, the feat will go a long way in promoting the value of Nigeria among the committee of nations.

    “The electronic voting solution developed by NASENI is the solution to the nation’s electronic issues.

    “It was specifically developed to address almost all the issues and challenges that are being faced by the electoral process.

    “It would be appropriate and beneficial for Nigeria to accept and adopt this indigenous solution in order to increase the credibility of election process,’’ he said.

    The minister also promised that he would present the model to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the model.

    Earlier, Haruna explained that the prototype had additional security features and unique serial numbering and identification for ballot boxes.

    He added that the new voting procedure called re-modified ballot system could only use persons with integrity as collation and returning officers.

     

  • INEC to decide on political associations seeking registration Wednesday

    INEC to decide on political associations seeking registration Wednesday

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it would on Wednesday disclose its decision on political associations seeking to be registered as political parties.

    Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen at ongoing workshop to review INEC’s Communication Policy, on Monday in Abuja.

    Yakubu said the decision would be made public after the commission meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) scheduled for Wednesday in Kaduna.

    “Let me assure Nigerians that under the Electoral Act, the commission is required to register new political parties and the guidelines are very clear for registration.

    “As at last week we received 95 applications for registration as new political parties.

    “At the end of this workshop there is going to be a retreat on Wednesday to review the ongoing voter registration, followed by a meeting of the commission here in Kaduna.

    “There will be a statement on parties after the meeting of the commission,” Yakubu said.

    He added that the commission would on Wednesday also give an update on the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), after the commission’s meeting with the field officers to review the exercise

    “We will do a mid-quarter review after six weeks and the mid-quarter review will come up here in Kaduna and we will issue our statement here after.”

    Yakubu also disclosed that the commission would extend the CVR in Anambra to ward levels ahead of the state governorship election.

    He added that people who registered in the state before the first quarter 2017 would obtain their Permanent​ Voter Cards (PVCs) before the state governorship election.

    “We will soon announce the date for the commencement of the exercise.

    “So those who have registered under the current CVR and those who will register when we devolve to ward level will all have their PVCs ahead of the election.

    “For those who have registered and are going to vote in Anambra, I want to assure them that they will have their cards. It is for those who have done it in the first quarter of this year.”

    On the pending senatorial district election in Anambra, the chairman said that specific date was yet to be fixed for the election as the case was still in court.

    “You know the matter is before the Court of Appeal.

    “A date was fixed, May 30, but at the court, one of the parties prayed for adjournment to June 12 or June 13.”