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Tag: Mahmood Yakubu

  • Why elections are tough in Nigeria – INEC chairman

    Why elections are tough in Nigeria – INEC chairman

    Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday said that conducting elections in Nigeria was a tough task, urging media support against fake news that could cause confusion.

    Yakubu spoke at a Strategic Interactive Meeting with Online Publishers organised by INEC in collaboration with the Institute for Media and Society and the International Press Centre, and held in Lagos.

    The theme of the meeting was “Strengthening INEC/Media Partnership for the Consolidation of Free, Fair, Credible and Inclusive Elections”.

    According to him, Nigeria’s size and population make it one of the biggest democracies in the world and the largest presidential democracy after the United States of America.

    Yakubu, who called for stronger INEC/Media partnership to foster strong democratic Nigeria, said that the task of deepening Nigeria’s democracy was a collective duty.

    He added that all hitches noticed in the deployment of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) during Anambra Governorship election, had been responded to, ahead of future elections.

    “The size of our voter population and elective institutions make elections in Nigeria a huge undertaking. This fact is better appreciated within our regional context.

    “There are 15 countries in West Africa today, including Nigeria.

    “However, with the current voters population of over 84 million, Nigeria has about 11 million more registered voters than the other 14 countries put together which have 73.6 million registered voters.

    “Conducting a general election in Nigeria is like holding election in West Africa and beyond. Elections are held all-year round between one general election and another with no respite,” he said.

    Yakubu, who outlined the duties of INEC, said that the statutory responsibilities of INEC made it both an election management body and electoral commission.

    Expressing INEC’s determination to deepen the use of technology and reduce human intervention in the critical stages of electoral process, Yakubu said that technology was the way to go in electoral management system.

    He said that the commission had introduced several innovations to improve elections like submission of nomination forms through a portal.

    The chairman added that the new INEC Voter Enrollment Device (IVED) performs variety of functions including physical registration of voters, finger print and facial authentication on election day.

    “The goal is to boost the quality of Nigeria’s democracy,” he said.

    Yakubu said that IVED, which was also used for uploading of the polling unit results sheets to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, was equally used for BVAS during elections to engender integrity and transparency in electoral process.

    “Before our own eyes, things are changing. The way to go is to continue to deepen the use of technology in elections. Be rest assured we will continue to do so. We have responded to the glitches in Anambra immediately.

    “There were no challenges reported during the supplementary election in Ihiala Local Government held on Nov. 9; I want to reassure Nigerians that we have learnt vita lessons from the Anambra pilot.

    “There will be remarkable improvement in the next major election. We want to assure you that in subsequent election, you will see the wonders of BVAS,” he said.

    According to him, the commission has registered 4.2 million Nigerians online while 1.8 million have completed their registration in the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.

    The chairman, who urged the media to work with the commission to fight the scourge of fake news capable of undermining electoral system, said that “the greatest antidote to fake news is greater transparency”.

    “One major area where we need your help is in containing fake news.

    “Quite often, those who try to undermine the electoral system and their sympathisers take advantage of free social media space, and sometimes even the traditional media, to advance their interests and spread falsehood.

    “They can cook up wild allegations against the commission and/or its officials to frustrate a good policy which they perceive as inimical to their selfish interest.

    “When such allegations get to you, please thoroughly investigate,” Yakubu said.

    On direct primary clause in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021, Yakubu said that the commission would give expeditious consideration to the law, including the detailed regulations and guidelines for its implementation where necessary, when the bill becomes a law.

    In his opening remarks, Mr Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), said that reporting elections required skills, urging the media to always seek classification on germane issues.

    He said that the meeting was part of the INEC continued strategic engagement with media aimed at a better understanding of the commission’s processes and procedures.

    Okoye, who noted that elections and electoral processes had their dynamics, said that the work of INEC had national security implementation, hence reporting elections needed to be handled with the eye of conflict sensitivity and national peace and cohesion.

    “Reporting election requires special skills and understanding of the centrality of elections to Nigeria’s survival as a federal democracy.

    “One false report that goes viral may have a potential of triggering a break down of law and order.

    “It is in the interest of the country for the media to always seek for official clarification on germane and serious national issues, especially when electoral matters are involved,” he said.

    In a goodwill message, the Executive Director of International Press Center (IPC) Mr. Lanre Arogundade, said the interactive session would enable the commission and media to review the mistake of the past and set agenda for 2023 general elections.

    Arogundade, who commended INEC for its continued efforts to improve the nation’s electoral system, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral Amended Bill before 2023 General Election.

    In his goodwill message, Dr Akin Akingbulu, the Executive Director, Institute for Media and Society (IMS), who noted that free, fair and credible elections were central to the building of democracy, said the media roles were indispensable in electoral process and democracy.

    Ms Maureen Chigbo, the President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) and the Publisher of Realnews, who commended INEC for the conduct of Anambra governorship election, urged the commission to improve BVAS before 2023 election.

    Chigbo, who assured INEC of the group’s continual support ahead of 2023 general elections, said that GOCOP had about 81 members.

    In his welcome address, Mr Sam Olumekun, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Lagos, who commended the media for the “tremendous” support to INEC, said that the meeting was historic, crucial and relevant to get feedbacks.

    Olumekun solicited more publicity for INEC’s activities, especially mobilising qualified citizens to get registered in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise, so that people would not wait until the last minute.

  • Anambra election: Be vigilant – INEC Chairman tells staff

    Anambra election: Be vigilant – INEC Chairman tells staff

    Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has sent an important message to staff that will partake in the November 6 Anambra Governorship Election.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Prof. Yakubu’s message to the staff titled: “Message to Staff from the INEC Chairman” was shared via the official Facebook page of the Commission.

    In the message, while urging the staff to ensure that every single vote counts, the INEC Chairman told the staff to remain true to the commitment that only the voters in Anambra State should determine who becomes the next Governor of the State.

    He urged the staff to be guided by the extant laws, INEC guidelines/regulations and good conscience, and also to be vigilant, principled and committed to the vision and mission of the Commission.

    The INEC Chairman’s message reads: “After several months of preparations, the Anambra State Governorship election 2021 is holding this weekend. Despite the challenging situation in the build-up to the election, including attacks on our facilities, our determination to ensure that the election holds as scheduled has been unshaken.

    “In the process, we rebuilt our fixed assets and replaced movable facilities. We also sought and obtained the support of the security agencies, political parties and candidates and all other stakeholders for a successful exercise.

    “Over the next few days, all eyes will be on us. As you are aware, Nigerians expect the Anambra Governorship election to be an improvement on the high standards achieved in recent elections.

    “That is why we introduced the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for fingerprint and facial biometric authentication of voters. We have trained staff on the new technology. We have also delivered all sensitive and non-sensitive materials for the election on schedule, deployed election duty staff and made logistics arrangements to move personnel and materials to thousands of locations in Anambra State where voting and collation of results will take place.

    “It is therefore imperative for all of you to ensure that every single vote counts. You must remain true to our commitment that only the voters in Anambra State determine who becomes the next Governor of the State.

    “In doing so, you must be guided by the extant laws, our guidelines/regulations and good conscience. You should remain vigilant, principled and committed to the vision and mission of the Commission. Thank you all for your efforts”.

  • BREAKING: INEC abolishes incident form as Anambra set to make history with Nov. 6 guber election

    BREAKING: INEC abolishes incident form as Anambra set to make history with Nov. 6 guber election

    …Commission introduces new features on sensitive election materials

    On Saturday 6th November 2021, Anambra State will make history as the first Governorship election in Nigeria in which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will deploy the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) device.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the BVAS, deployed in its pilot phase for the Isoko South I State Constituency Bye-election in Delta State on 11th September 2021, is a new device that replaces the Smart Card Reader (SCR) used in previous elections since 2015.

    The BVAS has the dual capacity for fingerprint and facial authentication of voters, and according to the Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, this is to guard against voting by identity theft where one person uses another person’s Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) to vote using the incident form.

    In his remarks during a stakeholders meeting on the Anambra State Governorship Election on Wednesday, Prof Yakubu said that with the introduction of the BVAS device, the use of incident forms during elections has been abolished.

    “On Saturday 6th November 2021, Anambra State will make history as the first Governorship election in Nigeria in which the Commission will deploy the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) device. This new device replaces the Smart Card Reader (SCR) used in previous elections since 2015. We are satisfied with the pilot deployment of the BVAS in the Isoko South I State Constituency Bye-election in Delta State on 11th September 2021.

    “The BVAS has the dual capacity for fingerprint and facial authentication of voters. This is to guard against voting by identity theft where one person uses another person’s Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) to vote using the incident form. With this development, the use of the incident form is abolished. No voter without a genuine PVC will vote. No voter who has not been successfully accredited electronically using the BVAS will vote.

    “At the same time, the BVAS is also equipped with a camera. Therefore, it has the capacity to snap Polling Unit level result and upload same to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal so that citizens can view results as election is concluded in each Polling Unit. Therefore, there is no need for the Z-Pad since its functions have been embedded in the BVAS. I am glad to report that all the BVAS required for the election on Saturday have been configured and delivered to Anambra State. Election duty staff have also been trained on the use of the device and we have sufficient technical staff to respond to any glitches that may occur,” the INEC Chairman said.

    Also, the INEC Chairman revealed in his remarks that in designing the sensitive materials for the election, the Commission has introduced additional visible and invisible security features, including different colour codes.

    “I want to assure all voters in Anambra State that in designing the sensitive materials for the election, the Commission has introduced additional visible and invisible security features, including different colour codes. Materials have also been customized by

    “Local Government Areas and Polling Units. Let me therefore warn those who may attempt to compromise the process that we have put in place sufficient safeguards to detect counterfeits. We are also determined to prosecute perpetrators of electoral malpractice, including any election duty staff found to be complicit. The choice of the next Governor of Anambra State is in the hands of the eligible voters and their will must prevail,” Prof Yakubu said.

    Read full remarks by the INEC Chairman below:

    1.​ On behalf of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), it is my great pleasure to welcome you all to this interactive meeting just a few days to the Anambra State Governorship election. I am glad to note that the Inspector General of Police, as the head of the lead agency for internal security, including the conduct of elections, in Nigeria is here personally. This further underscores the importance of this consultative meeting. Issues relating to election security will be addressed by the Inspector General of Police himself. I am also glad to note the presence of the candidates for the election as well as other distinguished invited guests.

    2.​ The Anambra State Governorship election holds in the next 3 days. As far as INEC is concerned, there are two activities left in our Timetable and Schedule of Activities. The first one is the end of campaign by political parties which is at midnight tomorrow Thursday 4th November 2021. The second is the Election Day which is Saturday 6th November 2021. These two activities will conclude the 14 items listed in the Timetable for the election released by the Commission about 11 months ago on 19th January 2021. INEC has diligently implemented every activity on schedule.

    3.​ The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State has just briefed us on our detailed preparations for the election, including logistics and the recruitment, training and deployment of election duty staff. Non-sensitive materials have been delivered to the 21 Local Government Areas of the State. The sensitive materials are secure in the branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) here in Awka. As is always the case on the eve of major elections, INEC will invite political parties, civil society organisations and the media to the CBN tomorrow Thursday 4th November 2021 to inspect the sensitive materials and to witness their movement to the various Local Government Areas under security escort. By the same arrangement, the materials will be delivered to the Registration Areas or Wards on Friday 5th November 2021 to facilitate the opening of Polling Units at 8.30am on Election Day i.e. Saturday 6th November 2021.

    4.​ I want to assure all voters in Anambra State that in designing the sensitive materials for the election, the Commission has introduced additional visible and invisible security features, including different colour codes. Materials have also been customized by Local Government Areas and Polling Units. Let me therefore warn those who may attempt to compromise the process that we have put in place sufficient safeguards to detect counterfeits. We are also determined to prosecute perpetrators of electoral malpractice, including any election duty staff found to be complicit. The choice of the next Governor of Anambra State is in the hands of the eligible voters and their will must prevail.

    5.​ On Saturday 6th November 2021, Anambra State will make history as the first Governorship election in Nigeria in which the Commission will deploy the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) device. This new device replaces the Smart Card Reader (SCR) used in previous elections since 2015. We are satisfied with the pilot deployment of the BVAS in the Isoko South I State Constituency Bye-election in Delta State on 11th September 2021. The BVAS has the dual capacity for fingerprint and facial authentication of voters. This is to guard against voting by identity theft where one person uses another person’s Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) to vote using the incident form. With this development, the use of the incident form is abolished. No voter without a genuine PVC will vote. No voter who has not been successfully accredited electronically using the BVAS will vote.

    6.​ At the same time, the BVAS is also equipped with a camera. Therefore, it has the capacity to snap Polling Unit level result and upload same to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal so that citizens can view results as election is concluded in each Polling Unit. Therefore, there is no need for the Z-Pad since its functions have been embedded in the BVAS. I am glad to report that all the BVAS required for the election on Saturday have been configured and delivered to Anambra State. Election duty staff have also been trained on the use of the device and we have sufficient technical staff to respond to any glitches that may occur.

    7.​ The Commission is also aware of the concern expressed about the availability of PVCs for new registrants in Anambra State. At the end of the recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, a total of 138,802 citizens completed the registration. After cleaning up the data, the Commission identified and archived 62,698 multiple registrants. Consequently, the number of valid registrants is 76,104. This figure has been added to 5,674 requests for transfer, update of voter information and replacement of lost or damaged PVCs, bringing the total of valid registrations to 81,774. I am glad to report that the PVCs have been printed and delivered to all the Local Government Areas for collection by voters. We have also contacted the voters by text messages and e-mail addresses and informed them of the exact locations to collect their cards. Through the media, we have also been sensitizing them to the availability of the cards for collection. Many of them have done so already. Let me therefore once again appeal to those that have not done so that their cards are available for collection.

    8.​ Another issue that I need to address is the distribution of voters by polling units in Anambra State. About four weeks ago, the Commission published the register of voters for the election on 7th October 2021 i.e. 30 days to the election as required by law. Each of the 18 political parties was given a soft copy of the register here in Awka. In addition to meeting the requirement of the law, the presentation of the register is significant for another reason. The Anambra Governorship election is the first time that voting is taking place in polling units since the recent successful conversion of voting points arising from the expansion of voter access to polling units in Nigeria. An additional 1,112 polling units were established in Anambra State in addition to the existing 4,608 locations. This brings the total number of polling units in the State to 5,720. Voters were encouraged to seize the opportunity of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise to transfer to the new polling units most convenient for them. Many did not do so. This can be partly attributed to the security situation in the State which has affected the Commission’s pre-election outdoor activities, including voter education and sensitisation. Understandably, the voters have also been cautious.

    9.​ At the same time, the Commission did not use its powers under Section 42 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) to allot voters to the new polling units to minimise the disruptions that may occur from such a decision in view of the forthcoming Governorship election. Consequently, out of the 5,720 polling units in Anambra State, 86 (1.5%) have no voters. Consequently, the Commission will not be deploying personnel and materials to these polling units. Furthermore, 894 (15.6%) of the polling units have between 1 and 49 voters. Election will hold in these polling units. We will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure that all Polling Units have voters allotted to them ahead of the 2023 General Election.

    10.​ Meanwhile, in our avowed commitment to transparency, the Commission has compiled a comprehensive list of all the Polling Units without voters as well as those having under 50 registered voters. Last week in Abuja, we had a special consultative meeting with the leadership of all political parties in and shared with them copies of the comprehensive locations of these Polling Units. We appealed to them to quickly inform their branches in Anambra State as well as their candidates for the election. I would like to seize this opportunity to draw the attention of political parties, candidates and other stakeholders to this situation. Copies of the list have been distributed to all stakeholders at this meeting. Already, the same document has been uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information.

    11.​ On this note, let me reassure all stakeholders of the Commission’s commitment to inclusivity. In line with our policy for equal opportunity for all Nigerians to participate, the Commission introduced assistive devices for Persons With Disability (PWDs) during elections. This includes the Braille Ballot Guide and magnifying glasses at polling units for the visually impaired as well as voter education posters for the hearing-impaired. I am glad to report that the Braille Ballot Guide and magnifying glasses will be deployed in the election this Saturday. I wish to reassure you that INEC will remain an equal opportunity Commission for all Nigerians irrespective of disability. As an affirmation of this commitment, data on disability is being collected in the ongoing CVR to enable us to serve this category of voters better.

    12.​ In our continuing determination to protect the integrity of the electoral process, I wish to remind political parties, candidates and their supporters that vote buying is illegal under our laws. I wish to reiterate that the ban on the use of smart phone or other photographic devices in the voting cubicles is still in force. The anti-graft agencies, who are members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), will deploy their personnel to arrest and prosecute violators.

    13.​ Before I conclude, let me extend the Commission’s appreciation to you all for your presence. I thank the religious, traditional and community leaders as well as civil society organisations and the media that have worked tirelessly for the peaceful conduct of the forthcoming election. I call on the leaders of political parties and candidates to continue to appeal to your supporters to eschew hate speech or disruptive behaviour before, during and after the election. Doing so will only further compound the current situation and scare voters away from exercising their rights as citizens. Working with the security agencies, we have put so much in place for the successful conduct of this election. Let us by our words and action support the peaceful and credible conclusion of the 2021 Anambra State Governorship Election.

    14.​ I thank you all and may God bless our efforts.

  • INEC sends important message to newly registered voters in Anambra

    INEC sends important message to newly registered voters in Anambra

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured newly registered voters in Anambra State that their permanent voter’s cards (PVCs) will be printed and made available to them for collection before the 6th November 2021 election.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu gave the assurance on Monday during the third quarterly meeting the Commission held with political parties held at the INEC Conference Room, Abuja.

    Prof. Yakubu, who said the meeting was focused on the Anambra State Governorship election, further stated that the Commission will use the next few weeks to compile the register of voters for claims and objections, clean up the data, print the PVCs for collection by registrants and compile the register for each of the 5,720 polling units in the State.

    In his remarks, Yakubu said though the physical continuous voter’s registration (CVR) exercise had been suspended yesterday, the online pre-registration option will continue to be available but no appointment for completion of registration can be scheduled until after the election

    The remarks reads: “I warmly welcome you all to our third regular quarterly meetings for the year 2021. You may recall that at our last meeting held on 17th June 2021, we focused mainly on the resumption of the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

    “More specifically, we discussed the schedule for the exercise as well as the Commission’s proposal for a two-tier online and in-person or physical registration of voters. We also presented to you two technology-driven innovations to facilitate the CVR exercise in the form of a portal for online pre-registration of voters as well as the new INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED) for physical registration.

    “Since the resumption of the CVR online on 28th June 2021, we have been giving Nigerians weekly updates on the progress of the exercise which has entered its 11th week today. As of 7am today, Monday 6th September 2021, 2,729,819 fresh voters have pre-registered online.

    “Similarly, we have been giving weekly updates of the physical registration in our State and Local Government offices nationwide. We started on 26th July 2021. So far, 717,947 Nigerians have completed their registration at the designated centres.

    “With the benefit of technology, we have also been providing detailed information on the cumulative distribution of registered voters by age, occupation, gender and disability on weekly basis. By doing so, we hope leaders of political parties will use the information in articulating your manifestos and planning your campaigns to target the concerns of specific categories of citizens.

    “For instance, in terms of age, young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 34 constitute 65% of new registrants and 72% of completed registrations so far. In terms of occupation, students constitute 32% of the new registrants and 42% of completed registrations and remain the largest category since the exercise began 11 weeks ago.

    “The latest detailed statistics have been uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms. Hard copies are also included in your folders for this meeting. Today’s meeting focuses on the Anambra State Governorship election.

    “When the Commission released the Timetable and Schedule of Activities eight months ago on 19th January this year, we informed Nigerians that the election will hold on 6th November 2021. Today, it is exactly two months (or 60 days) to the election.

    “As you are aware, the Commission devolved the CVR to the 326 Registration Areas (or Wards) in addition to the 21 Local Government offices and the State Office of the Commission.

    “The physical exercise was suspended yesterday, i.e. 60 days to the election as required by Section 9(5) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

    “However, the online pre-registration option will continue to be available but no appointment for completion of registration can be scheduled until after the election.

    “The Commission will use the next few weeks to compile the register of voters for claims and objections, clean up the data, print the PVCs for collection by registrants and compile the register for each of the 5,720 polling units in the State.

    “I want to assure every newly registered voter in Anambra State, including those who applied to transfer from within and outside the State or for the replacement of damaged or lost PVCs that their cards will be printed and made available to them for collection before the election.

    “Each political party fielding candidates in the election will be given a copy of the voters’ register on 7th October 2021 as published in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the elections.

    “While working on the register of voters, the Commission has also been continuously innovating on how to strengthen the credibility of voter accreditation and result management during elections in Nigeria.

    “As always, the deployment of appropriate technology is crucial and desirable. The introduction of the machine-readable PVC combined and Smart Card Reader (SCR) were important innovations. So too is the uploading of polling unit results in real-time on Election Day.

    “The reality is that technology always advances with the passage of time. Consequently, the Commission must keep pace with the ever-changing world of global information and communication technology. We are at one such crossroad at the moment.

    “For some time, many stakeholders, including leaders of political parties, have called on the Commission to strengthen the voter accreditation process during elections, especially with reference to the use of incident form where the SCR fails to authenticate the fingerprints of a voter.

    “Such concern is legitimate given the fact that the SCR successfully verifies any card that belongs to the polling unit for which it is configured irrespective of who presents it.

    “Their apprehension, therefore, is that using the incident form to cover those whose fingerprints are not authenticated by the SCR, a voter may be able to use another person’s PVC to vote during an election.

    “To address this concern, the Commission attempted to introduce the facial biometric authentication during accreditation of the voters using the Z-Pad tablet to complement the fingerprint process through the Card Reader before the Edo Governorship election in September 2020.

    “However, the Commission was not entirely satisfied with the pilot held in the Nasarawa Central State Constituency bye-election a month earlier in August 2020.

    “We therefore suspended the idea to enable us to do some more work. Over the last one year, we reviewed the situation and we think we have found the appropriate technology to address it. The Z-pad was therefore only used to upload Polling Unit results to the IReV portal during elections.

    “The functionality of the Z-pad has now been integrated into the IVED currently used for voter registration.

    “On Election Day, the same device will used for the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for fingerprint authentication during accreditation and where it fails for facial authentication.

    “We believe that this multi-layer process will eliminate the possibility of voting by identity theft using another person’s PVC. Where the voter fails both the fingerprint and facial authentication, he/she will not be allowed to vote.

    “In other words, no electronic authentication, no voting. We are convinced that the new machine is robust enough to further guarantee the credibility of voter authentication and transparent management of results during elections.

    “Accordingly, the Commission intends to carry out a pilot exercise using the new device in Delta State during the Isoko South 1 State Assembly constituency bye-election holding this weekend (Saturday 11th September 2021).

    “The BVAS will now perform the functions of both the SCR and Z-Pad in the bye-election. Thereafter, it will be deployed in the Anambra Governorship election in November. There will be a presentation of the new device and a practical demonstration of its functions to Chairmen and leaders of political parties at this meeting.

    “I cannot conclude my remarks without touching on the issue of litigations, particularly the conflicting orders emanating from Courts of coordinate jurisdiction. I am aware that some of the cases are still in Court and therefore sub judice.

    “I must say that some of the decided cases are making our work difficult and we have been crying out loud for a long time. In particular, some pre-election litigations relating to the nomination of candidates for elections were not determined until after the elections.

    “Consequently, in some instances, political parties were declared winners without candidates to immediately receive the Certificates of Return on account of protracted and conflicting litigations or where Courts rather than votes determine winners of elections. This situation is compounded by cases on the leadership of political parties, thereby making the exercise of our regulatory responsibilities difficult.

    “It appears that in a number of electoral cases in Nigeria today, the settled law is now unsettled and the time-honoured principle of Stare decisis does not seem to matter any longer. What is most disconcerting for us is that the more INEC strives to improve the credibility and transparency of our electoral process, the more extraneous obstacles are put in our way through litigations.

    “However, the Commission appreciates the recent statement by His Lordship the Chief Justice of Nigeria as well as the strongly worded concern by the Nigerian Bar Association.

    “We will work with both the Bar and the Bench to defend the electoral process in the best interest of our democracy. By the same token, as Chairmen and leaders of political parties, you have a role to play. I wish to remind you that INEC is both an umpire and a regulator.

    “The Commission is an umpire in dealing even-handedly with political parties collectively, but when it comes to the management of intra-party affairs, it is a regulator. We will play our role decisively.

    “On this note, let me once again welcome the Chairmen and party leaders to this consultative meeting. As always, we look forward to a robust discussion”.

  • Voter’s card: All you need to know about INEC’s online CVR registration

    Voter’s card: All you need to know about INEC’s online CVR registration

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently announced online registration for voter’s card and subsequently released criteria for registrants who want to participate in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu had said the online portal for CVR registration was introduced in response to public demand for better service and repeated calls by stakeholders.

    Recall INEC had announced that the CVR exercise will resume on Monday 28th June, and to ensure a successful rollout, the Commission says it has acquired all the required equipment and updated its registration software.

    “A total of 5,346 staff will be deployed to the 2,673 designated centres. The CVR, which was suspended on 31st August 2018 because of preparations for the 2019 General Elections, will continue till August 2022,” the Commission stated.

    The commission also stated that only Nigerians, 18 years and above and who had never registered are qualified to do so.

    “However, the exercise is also open to registered voters who: have had any problem during accreditation for any past election with either their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) or their fingerprints not being read by the Smart Card Reader (SCR); want to transfer their voting location from one place to another; want to correct issues with their data, such as misspelt names or dates of birth; and registered voters whose PVCs are lost or damaged,” INEC added.

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu who made the announcement at a press conference held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, also revealed that a new registration machine called the INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED) will be used.

    TNG reports the device, a tablet computer, will replace the laptop based old Direct Data Capture Machine (DDCM), which was used for the last CVR.

    Prof. Yakubu said the device was designed by INEC Engineers in-house but fabricated abroad.

    “It is more efficient than the DDCM and could also be deployed for other activities, particularly the accreditation of voters during elections, “he affirmed.

    In response to public demand for better service and repeated calls by stakeholders, Prof. Yakubu said the Commission would for the CVR, introduce a dedicated portal for online registration.

    According to him, the idea is for intending registrants to commence the registration process online by filling the forms, uploading their pictures and required documents and making an appointment on the web portal for a date and time to visit an INEC State or Local Government office to give their fingerprints and complete the registration.

    Besides, the INEC Chairman said registered voters can also carry out all other activities such as transfers, correction of personal details and replacement of damaged or defaced Permanent Voters’ Cards. (PVCs) online.

    His words: “We hope that through this portal, we shall reduce overcrowding at our registration centres, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, make the registration processes generally easier, thereby giving Nigerians a pleasant electoral experience.

    “The portal will go live in the early hours of Monday 28th June 2021. However, I must quickly reiterate that the online registration is a public service and therefore free of charge. There is no INEC-approved cybercafe, no online registration centre and no scratch card to be purchased for the exercise.

    “All you need is a device, including your mobile phones, that can connect to the internet. Citizens can complete the online pre-registration anywhere and at anytime they choose. Just follow the simple but detailed step-by-step procedure on the portal and contact the INEC Help Desk where necessary. The details are on our website.”

    Prof Yakubu also allayed the fears being expressed by some Nigerians that many citizens may be disenfranchised by the new digital arrangement.

    He said the Commission was aware that not all Nigerians have computers, smart phones, access to the internet or reside in urban and sub-urban areas.

    He also acknowledged that some citizens might have one form of disability or another that could make it impossible for them to register online.

    He said: “The Commission is also aware of its responsibility under the law to provide every eligible Nigerian the opportunity to register, irrespective of where they live or other circumstances of life.

    “I wish to assure you that in addition to the online registration portal, there will be some 2,673 centres where citizens can register physically nationwide.

    “Furthermore, the exercise will be carried out continuously over a period of at least one year thereby providing enough time for the Commission to reach all the nooks and crannies of the country. No eligible Nigerian will be disenfranchised.”

    Prof Yakubu said the Commission was deeply concerned over the recent attacks on its offices across the country.

    He said: “In most cases, these offices have been burnt or vandalized. Clearly, the aim of the attackers was to undermine the Commission’s capacity to organize elections and other electoral activities, including the CVR.

    “Luckily, only buildings, equipment and materials have been destroyed. Although the attacks have subsided, the Commission is still deeply worried by the threat that they could pose to registrants and our staff during the CVR.”

    He said that from the various consultations with stakeholders, a consensus was reached that the Commission must place a high premium on securing the lives of registrants, staff members and the protection of the expensive registration equipment to be deployed for the exercise.

    He continued: “Consequently, they advised that the Commission should adopt a graduated approach to the CVR exercise by starting online.

    “After appraising the situation, the exercise can then proceed physically at State and LGA offices before finally deploying to all the 2,673 centres nationwide.

    “Based on this advice, the Commission decided to adopt a roll-out and roll-back approach to the exercise such that the registration centres will not only be accessible but safe and secure.

    “After a careful consideration of the suggestions, the Commission decided to modify the CVR schedule (see table below).

    S/No. Activity Date Location
    i. Commencement of online registration only 28th June 2021 Online through the INEC registration portal (https://cvr.inecnigeria.orgor https://cvr.inec.gov.ng )
    ii. Commencement of scheduled appointments for online registrants 19th July 2021 INEC State and Local Government offices nationwide
    iii. Commencement of physical CVR 19th July 2021 INEC State and Local Government offices nationwide
    iv. Commencement of physical CVR at all other Registration Centres Date to be determined based on evaluation of security situation All 2, 673 Registration Centres nationwide

    Giving the background of the CVR, the INEC Chairman noted that a good register of voters “is a precursor to a good election.”

    He said the registration of voters was a major function of the Commission under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

    He explained further: “In exercising its powers under the law, the Commission undertook a fresh registration of eligible voters with every General Election until 2011 when the first reliable biometric register of voters was compiled.

    “Thereafter, the Commission embarked on intermittent registration of voters on the eve of major elections.

    “However, in April 2017, this Commission for the first time began the implementation of registration of voters on a continuous basis as provided in the Electoral Act.

    “As a result, 14,283,734 new voters were added to the register by the time the process was suspended in August 2018 in order to prepare for the 2019 General Election.”

  • INEC chairman highlights timeline of 41 deliberate attacks on facilities since 2019

    INEC chairman highlights timeline of 41 deliberate attacks on facilities since 2019

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it had recorded 41 deliberate attacks on its facilities across the country within the last two years.

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this at the commission’s emergency meeting with security agencies under the auspices of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

    Yakubu said the attacks on the commission’s facilities should now be treated as a national security emergency.

    “No doubt, the last few weeks have been very challenging to the commission. The spate of arson and vandalization targeting the commission’s facilities and property has become a major threat to our scheduled activities and the entire electoral process.

    “In the last two years, the commission has recorded a total of 41 incidents involving deliberate attacks on the commission’s facilities. Nine of these incidents happened in 2019 and 21 cases in 2020.

    “In the last four weeks, 11 offices of the commission were either set ablaze or vandalised. Two of these incidents were caused by Boko Haram and Bandit attacks, while 10 resulted from thuggery during election and post-election violence.

    “However, the majority of the attacks (29 out of 41) were unrelated to election or electoral activities.

    “In fact, 18 of them occurred during the #EndSARS protests in October last year while 11 attacks were organised by “unknown gunmen” and “hoodlums”.

    Yakubu said that although the commission was assessing loss of materials during recent attacks, its preliminary assessment so far indicated that it lost 1,105 ballot boxes, 694 voting cubicles, 429 electric generating sets and 13 utility vehicles (Toyota Hilux).

    He said that by working together with the security agencies, INEC could stop these attacks and the wanton destruction of critical electoral assets.

    “These attacks, which initially appeared as isolated and occasional actions, have now become more frequent and systematic, targeted at demobilising and dismantling critical electoral infrastructure in the country.

    “This will not only undermine the commission’s capacity to organise elections and other electoral activities but will also damage the nation’s electoral process and democracy.

    “Indeed, these attacks on the commission’s facilities should now be treated as a national security emergency,” Yakubu said.

    The INEC chairman stressed the need to ramp up ICCES activities to curtail the unjustifiable acts of aggression.

    “This will entail not only drawing on our separate and collective resources within ICCES, but also increased collaboration with citizens, communities and all stakeholders.”

    Yakubu also stressed the need for the committee to tap into INEC facilities host communities’ goodwill in finding solutions to the present situation.

    He said that as a commission, INEC had been undertaking its own internal review of the situation and seeking answers.

    He recalled that INEC met with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) last week and received briefings about the rising threats.

    “We are presently compiling the useful suggestions from the meeting and other internal review, which we hope to share with this body in due course.

    “I understand that the security agencies are doing their own individual assessments.

    “Beyond Election Day security, we look forward to creating a framework for an all-year round, end-to-end protection of electoral facilities under the auspices of ICCES.”

    Yakubu expressed hope that the ICCES meeting would constitute a first step to finding lasting solution to the current challenges, adding that to disrupt the electoral process was to undermine our democracy and destabilise the country.

    The National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd.) who is also Co-Chair of ICCES, said his office was working with other agencies to collaborate with INEC to sustain Nigeria democracy and the will of the people.

    “As Nigerians, obviously we see a lot of activities and had lots of unwanted experiences which have affected the electoral process, activities, actions that have been carried out by non-state actors who are determined to scuttle this process which is supposed to be clean, transparent and allow the people self determination.

    “Of course, we are gathered here to look at means and ways of quickly stopping the rising spate of criminality, violence and destruction as a national effort.

    “Of course, Office of the NSA has always remained steadfast, resolute and unrelenting in supporting all activities of the INEC, as well as all agents of government who are compelled, not only by statutory means to deal with anything that will disrupt what was started in 1999.

    “We are at hand to make sure that the people’s will be sustained, regardless of whatever happened, regardless of any individual inclinations without cause hampered by a lot of non-state actors who are determined to dislodge this effort.

    “I am hopeful that the outcome of this meeting will be very productive.

    “We should be able to make some strides toward extinguishing whatever pleased our electoral and socio political landscape,” Monguno said.

    The NSA encouraged all leaders of security agencies in the intelligence community to enhance efforts of operational elements that had been supporting their efforts.

    The acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Usman Baba, pledged the commitment of the police to lead in policing elections and working with other security agencies.

    He also pledged that the police at the state commands would also work with INEC RECs to replicate the collaboration at state levels for peaceful elections.

    Baba said whatever preparation INEC had put in place for an election, if there was not adequate security before, during and after the poll, it would not be successful.

  • Aside general elections: Here are some major events to happen on 18 Feb 2023

    Aside general elections: Here are some major events to happen on 18 Feb 2023

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday reaffirmed 18 February 2023 as the date to hold general elections in Nigeria, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu reaffirmed the date at a one-day public hearing on the National Electoral Offences Commission (Establishment) Bill 2021.

    The public hearing, which was held at the Senate Conference room 022 of the new Senate building, was organized by the Senate Committee on INEC.

    However, aside from the general elections to be held on 18 Feb 2023, barring any unforeseen circumstances, as announced by the INEC Chairman, other known events also fell on that day.

    First off, 18 Feb 2023 is the third Saturday of February 2023. It is exactly one year, nine months, two weeks and six days or 660 days from today.

    That Saturday is Drink Wine Day and also Eat Ice Cream For Breakfast Day. 18 February 2023 is also Battery Day and Pluto Day.

    February 18, 2023 is the 49th day of the year and 7th Saturday of 2023. There are then 316 days left in 2023.

    Anyone born on February 18th, 2023, will have the star sign Aquarius and anyone born during the month of February will have the birthstone Amethyst.

    While Yoko Ono (John Lennon’s widow) will turn 90 on this day in 2023, John Travolta (Actor) will turn 69 on this day in 2023, and Dr. Dre (Rapper) will turn 58 on this day in 2023.

    If your baby is due on February 18th, 2023, then the date of conception was probably around the 11th of May, 2022.

    A baby that is conceived on February 18th, 2023, will be due around the 28th of November, 2023.

    Here are some fun facts about 18 Feb 2023

    • 661 days will pass between now and then.
    • 57,114,000 seconds will pass between now and February 18th, 2023.
    • Between now and then, your heart will beat 66,633,000 times.
    • Between now and February 18th, 2023, earth will travel approximately 29,470,824,000 miles through space.
    • Between now and then, your eyes will blink 9,519,000 times.
    • Between now and then, you will take 4,911,804 steps. That’s about 2,183 miles!
    • 685,368 meteors will enter the earth’s atmosphere between now and then!

    Below is the calendar of February 2023:

    Below is the calendar of February 2023:

     

  • INEC reaffirms date for 2023 general elections

    INEC reaffirms date for 2023 general elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed the date for the 2023 general elections to hold in the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu reaffirmed the date on Wednesday.

    He made the reaffirmation at a one-day public hearing on the National Electoral Offences Commission (Establishment) Bill 2021.

    TNG reports the public hearing, which was held at the Senate Conference room 022 of the new Senate building, was organized by the Senate Committee on INEC.

    The INEC Chairman in address reaffirmed that the general elections will hold on 18th February 2023, exactly one year, nine months, two weeks and six days or 660 days from today.

    TNG recalls that INEC first announced the date to hold the 2023 general elections in October 2020.

    The INEC Chairman, who made the announcement on October 15, 2020, was speaking at the inauguration of the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review.

    Reaffirming the date for the 2023 general elections, Yakubu thanked the leadership of the National Assembly and the Senate Committee on INEC for the giant step of organising this public hearing on the National Electoral Offences Commission (Establishment) Bill 2021.

    He stated that since the 2015 General Election, 124 cases of electoral offences were filed in various courts out of which 60 convictions have been secured so far, including the most recent one in Akwa Ibom State.

    He further stated that the Commission would like to see more successful prosecution of offenders, not just of ballot box snatchers and falsifiers of election results but most importantly their sponsors, adding that the work of the proposed Commission will help in this regard

    The INEC Chairman’s address reads: “On behalf of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), I would like to thank the leadership of the National Assembly and of the Senate Committee on INEC for the giant step of organising this public hearing.

    “Similarly, I would like to thank the distinguished “trio of Sen. Abubakar Kyari (Borno North), Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central) and Senator Kabiru Gaya (Kano South) for sponsoring the Bill.

    “I recall that Sen. Kyari, in particular, has been working on this Bill since 2016 when he was Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC in the 8th Assembly.

    “At last, we are here today for public input into the Bill for the establishment of the Electoral Offences Commission 13 years after the recommendations of the Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais Committee on Electoral Reform (2008) echoed by the Sheikh Ahmed Lemu Committee on the 2011 post-election violence (2011) and, most recently, the Senator Ken Ugwu Nnamani Committee on Constitution and Electoral Reform (2017).

    “In addition, there issues that reinforce the recommendations of the Uwais Committee arising from the reports of police investigation, INEC administrative enquiries, court judgements, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and several accredited election observers.

    “No doubt, INEC is saddled with so many responsibilities ranging from the registration and regulation of political parties, registration of voters, delineation of constituencies, conduct of elections/bye-elections/referendum/recall and prosecution of electoral offences, among others. The tasks are Herculean.

    “Of the numerous responsibilities carried out by the Commission, the prosecution of electoral offenders has been one of the most challenging.

    “For instance, since the 2015 General Election, 124 cases of electoral offences were filed in various courts out of which 60 convictions have been secured so far, including the most recent one in Akwa Ibom State.

    “The Commission would like to see more successful prosecution of offenders, not just of ballot box snatchers and falsifiers of election results but most importantly their sponsors.

    “We look forward to the day when highly placed sponsors of thuggery, including party chieftains and candidates that seek to benefit from violations of the law, are apprehended.

    “We believe that the work of the proposed Commission will help in this regard. The Commission will submit a detailed clause-by-clause comment on the Bill to the Senate Committee on INEC ahead of the commencement of the Committee’s technical work.

    “However, while we are excited by today’s public hearing, I would like to reiterate our appeal to the National Assembly for the expeditious passage of the Electoral Offences Commission (Establishment) Bill 2021 and the pending review of the electoral legal framework generally.

    “We are confident that the National Assembly will expedite legislative action and conclude work on the legal framework in earnest. The Commission is anxious to know the legal framework to govern the conduct of the 2023 General Election.

    “By the principle established by the Commission, the next General Election will hold on Saturday 18th February 2023 which is exactly one year, nine months, two weeks and six days or 660 days from today.

    “We hope to release the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the General Election immediately after the Anambra Governorship election scheduled to hold on 6th November 2021.

    “In order to do so, there should be clarity and certainty about the electoral legal framework that will govern the election. We are confident that the National Assembly will do the needful soonest.

    “Finally, I wish to restate the Commission’s support for this Bill and we commend the initiative of its sponsors and the commitment of the leadership as well as the membership of the National Assembly to its actualisation”.

  • INEC addresses NIN requirement for voter registration

    INEC addresses NIN requirement for voter registration

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the National Identification Number (NIN) is not mandatory for voter registration.

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the clarification while fielding questions from journalists in Abuja on Thursday.

    Yakubu said that NIN was only a means of identification for registration as listed in the Electoral Act.

    “I want to make this important clarification. NIN is not going to be made mandatory for voter registration.

    “This is for a simple reason that we are operating on basis of law establishing INEC.

    “Section 10 of the Electoral Act lists identifications to be presented by prospective registrants for the purpose of voter registration to includes birth certificate, national passport, national identify card,” he said.

    The INEC chairman said the list also included driver’s licence or any other document that would prove the identity and age of the applicant.

    He said that the NIN card was only one of the means of identification provided for, under section 10 sub-section 2 of the electoral act.

    “We cannot single that out and make it mandatory. All the other requirements are requirements of the law and we must apply the law appropriately.

    “If you have your national ID card we will register you on presentation of the card, but we will not make it a mandatory means of identification for the exercise.

    “Since the law, the electoral act does not make it mandatory, it is only one of the many means of identification required,” Yakubu said.

    He also said that INEC had announced June 28 for the resumption of its suspended Continuous Voter Registration across the country, with new technology.

    He said that the commission would replace its Direct Data Capture Machine introduced in 2011 for voter registration with a new technology called, INEC Voter Enrolment Device.

    The INEC boss explained that with the new innovation, prospective registrants could only apply and go to the nearest registration centre for data capturing to complete the exercise.

    Yakubu further said provision had been made for extra registration centres across the country to avoid overcrowding at registration points for those that want to do physical registration.

    On COVID-19 pandemic, he said that 1,000 registration centres had been added to the existing 1,446 for the exercise to reach as many people as possible.

    He, however, reminded prospective registrants that it was an offence to register more than once, saying, “citizens should register only once.”

  • Voter registration: INEC announces vacancy for enrolment staff

    Voter registration: INEC announces vacancy for enrolment staff

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced vacancy for voter enrolment staff for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the INEC has also announced a date to begin recruitment and training of the voter enrolment staff.

    INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu made this known on Thursday at INEC’s Conference Hall Headquarters, Abuja during a press conference on recommencement of CVR exercise nationwide.

    According to the INEC Chairman, recruitment and training of the voter enrolment staff will commence on 14th June 2021.

    He further stated that effective from Monday 28th June 2021, the CVR exercise will commence nationwide and carried out continuously for over a year until the third quarter of 2022.