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Tag: Mahmood Yakubu

  • 2023 elections will involve one million electoral officials – INEC

    2023 elections will involve one million electoral officials – INEC

    The 2023 general elections will involve an estimated one million electoral officials deployed to 176,846 polling units in 8,809 wards and 774 local government areas across the country, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission has revealed.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Prof Yakubu made this known on Thursday in his remarks at the presentation of the 2022-2026 Election Project Plan (EPP) held at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.

    According to Yakubu, the election will be conducted for 1,491 constituencies nationwide made up of 1 presidential constituency, 109 senatorial districts, 360 federal constituencies, 28 governorship elections and 993 state constituencies.

    The INEC Chairman expressed gladness that the 2022-2026 EPP has been finalised ten months ahead of the 2023 General Election.

    “As you may be aware, the election will be conducted for 1,491 constituencies nationwide made up of 1 presidential constituency, 109 senatorial districts, 360 federal constituencies, 28 governorship elections and 993 state constituencies. The election will involve an estimated one million electoral officials (both permanent and temporary or ad hoc staff) deployed to 176,846 polling units in 8,809 Wards and 774 Local Government Areas across the country. The election will be governed by a new Electoral Act 2022, which contains many progressive provisions that will enhance the capacity of the Commission to conduct elections and manage the electoral process better.

    “To do this, the Commission relies on three key elements. First is the knowledge and experience gathered from the conduct of previous elections. Second is the use of innovations to enhance electoral integrity and improve voter experience. Third is the institutionalization of the culture of planning. These elements have guided the Commission through three successive general and several off-cycle and bye elections. Consequently, our elections are getting better, electoral outcomes less contentious, and voter experience of the electoral system increasingly more participatory and inclusive.

    “The Strategic Plan 2022-2026 and the 2023 Election Project Plan drew lessons from, and thoroughly reviewed, the level of implementation of the last plans. They build on the successes of the preceding plans, especially in the planning and conduct of the 2019 General Election as well as off-cycle and bye-elections. Against the backdrop of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the current security situation in the country, both plans had to prioritise the institutionalisation of the Commission’s processes for the effective delivery of its mandate by focusing on capacity-building, the promotion of professionalism, encouraging greater synergy among departments, improving efficient utilisation of resources, increased deployment of technology as well as greater sensitivity to threats to the electoral process as well as election personnel and iinfrastructure

    “These concerns are reflected in the Plan’s five strategic objectives, each of which identified several key actions, key activities and key outcomes that constitute a broad guide to the vision of the Commission to provide electoral operations, systems and infrastructure to support the delivery of free, fair, credible and inclusive elections. The Plan also forms the basis for the Election Project Plan which focuses on five key objectives identified by the Commission as critical for the successful conduct of the 2023 General Election,” Yakubu stated.

    He also stated that by next week, the Commission will conclude the revision of the Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

    “Work has also commenced on the review of the manuals for the training of election duty personnel. With the planning processes virtually completed, the Commission will now focus its attention on election technology and election administration.

    “We have carefully listened to the demand of Nigerians for seamless processes, particularly with regard to enhanced voter education, better distribution of voters to polling units, quality training of election personnel, functionality of electronic devices, improved logistics, prompt commencement of polls, availability of assistive devices for persons with disability at polling units and greater transparency in result management.

    “We are also aware of the security challenges and their impact on the electoral process. We will continue to engage early and intensely with the security agencies to ensure the safety of our personnel and materials, accredited observers and the media and, above all, the voters.

    “Clearly, these are challenging times but we are determined that election must hold in 2023. However, this is a shared responsibility. INEC plays a critical role but the Commission alone cannot deliver the elections we all desire. I therefore appeal to all Nigerians to joins hands with us in ensuring that we make a success of the process,” he said.

    Yakubu reiterated that the dates for all activities in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election are firm and fixed and advised all stakeholders to take this into consideration in planning their activities.

    He went further to say the ongoing Continuous Voter registration (CVR) exercise will end on 30th June 2022, advising all eligible voters that are yet to register to do so on or before that date if they intend to vote.

    “Furthermore, the PVCs of validly registered voters from the first and second quarters are already available for collection at designated centres nationwide. I would like to appeal to all Nigerians who registered between June and December 2021 to collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) in person as no PVCs will be collected by proxy. Let me also reassure those who registered between January and March 2022 as well as those who are doing so until the end of the exercise that their PVCs will be ready for collection long before the 2023 General Election.

    “For emphasis, the Commission once again reiterates that PVCs have no expiry dates. We want to assure all registered voters that PVCs issued by the Commission remain valid for all elections. We have encouraged those whose lost their voters cards or whose cards are damaged to approach any of the registration centres to apply for replacement.

    “Similarly, voters who had issues with their accreditation in previous elections have been encouraged to revalidate and update their information. In addition, those who wish to transfer their registration from one location to another within a particular State or to relocate entirely to another State of the Federation can do so at any of the registration centres nationwide. These steps are in compliance with the law in order to serve Nigerians better. The claim that PVCs expire is misleading.

    “Citizens are therefore advised not to register more than once as multiple registration is an offence under the Electoral Act. Anyone engaged in the act of double or multiple registration is liable to prosecution. No citizen should engage in it or encourage others to violate the law,” Yakubu stated.

  • 2023: No going back on date for party primaries – INEC

    2023: No going back on date for party primaries – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said there is no good back on the date for political parties to conduct primary elections ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Professor Mahmood Yakubu made this known on Wednesday at a press conference at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    In his text of address, Yakubu revealed that ten political parties have served notices to the Commission for the conduct of their primaries.

    “The Commission wishes to reiterate that the dates for all activities in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election, including the conduct of party primaries, are firm and fixed.

    “Already, ten political parties have served notices to the Commission for the conduct of their primaries. With 52 days to the last day for the conduct of primaries (i.e. 3rd June 2022), political parties are once again admonished to adhere strictly to all dates in the Timetable, including the nomination of their candidates via the INEC web portal.

    “Such nominated candidates must emerge from valid primaries as provided in Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2022. This is necessary to avoid the unhappy consequences of any breach of the Commission’s Timetable or the Electoral Act,” the INEC Chairman stated.

    TNG reports Yakubu as saying permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) are now ready for collection for persons who registered in the first and second quarters of the continuous voters registration (CVR) exercise.

  • 2023: When and how to get your permanent voters’ card as INEC says PVCs are now ready

    2023: When and how to get your permanent voters’ card as INEC says PVCs are now ready

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said permanent voters’ cards are now ready for persons who registered in the first and second quarters of the continuous voters registration (CVR) exercise.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports INEC’s Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu made this known at a press conference on Wednesday while also revealing how and when registrants can collect their (PVCs) ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    According to the INEC Chairman, during the period from 28th June to 20th December 2021, millions of Nigerians commenced their registration online and thereafter scheduled appointments to complete the process physically.

    “Millions more visited our State and Local Government offices to register in person without the option of going through the online procedure. For the pre-registration option, 1,014,382 registrants completed the process while 1,509,076 Nigerians registered in-person at our designated registration centres nationwide.

    “Furthermore, 671,106 Nigerians submitted requests to update their records, transfer their registration from where they are currently registered to other locations or the replacement of their lost or damaged PVCs,” Yakubu said.

    Speaking at the press conference, the INEC boss said that while the number of new registrants is very impressive and demonstrates the eagerness of Nigerians to vote in the forthcoming elections, the Commission has a duty to clean up the data to ensure that only eligible Nigerians are registered.

    He said: “As you are aware, the foundation for any credible election rests on the credibility of the Register of Voters. The introduction of the biometric registration of voters in 2011 has helped to sanitise the Register. You may recall that initially, 73,528,040 Nigerians were registered in 2011. Using the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), the Commission was able to remove 4,239,923 invalid registrations.

    “Consequently, the Register of Voters for the 2015 General Election stood at 69,288,117 voters. Subsequently, some 432,173 new voters were added to the Register during the CVR exercises ahead of the off-cycle Governorship elections in five States (Bayelsa, Kogi, Edo, Ondo and Anambra) from late 2015 to early 2017, bringing the total number of registered voters in Nigeria to 69,720,350.

    “You may also recall that preparatory to the 2019 General Election, the Commission, for the first time, embarked on a nationwide CVR exercise on a continuous basis as provided by law. From 27th April 2017 to 31st August 2018, 15,317,872 new voters were registered. Out of this figure, 1,034,141 ineligible registrants were detected and removed from the register to arrive at the figure of 84,004,084 voters for that election”.

    Yakubu went further to say that: “Unfortunately, the troubling issue of invalid registration still persists which we detected while cleaning up the latest registration data. As against the AFIS used in previous exercises, the Commission introduced the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) which is a more comprehensive and robust system, involving not just fingerprint identification but also the facial biometric recognition.

    “Sadly, it seems that many registrants, either out of ignorance that they do not need to re-register if they had done so before, or a belief that our systems will not detect this infraction, have gone out to register again.

    “This is despite repeated warnings by the Commission against this illegal action. In addition, there are also registrants whose data were incomplete and did not meet our Business Rules for inclusion in the register. Both categories i.e. the failure of ABIS and incomplete data constitute invalid registrations. Presently, nearly 45% of completed registrations nationwide are invalid, rising to as high as 60% or more in some States. This infraction happened in all States of the Federation. No State is immune from it.

    “These invalid registrations will not be included in the Register of Voters. In our commitment to transparency, the distribution of the registration figures, including the percentages of valid and invalid registrations on State-by-State basis, will be made available to you at this press conference. The same information will be uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms immediately.

    “This development is worrisome because of the time and resources expended in handling these cases. Even more disturbing are the strong indications that some of our staff may be complicit in facilitating these infractions, notwithstanding stern warnings.

    “Consequently, the Commission is reviewing reports on such staff and has commenced a detailed investigation which may include the prosecution of those found culpable. Specific registrants associated with these infractions by our staff may also face prosecution in line with Sections 22 and 23 of the Electoral Act 2022”.

    He used the opportunity of the press conference to request political parties, the media, civil society organizations and the general public to assist the Commission in educating Nigerians about the problem of invalid registration.

    “As we have repeatedly explained, if you had at any time in the past registered to vote, you do not have to reregister. If you have registered in the past, you should not get involved in the CVR again unless you have had problems with your PVC or fingerprint recognition during accreditation in any previous election.

    “In that case, all you need to do is to revalidate your registration by visiting a designated registration centre to recapture your fingerprints and picture. Other registered persons who may also get involved in the CVR are those whose PVCs are missing or defaced; those whose details need correction and those seeking to transfer from their current places of voting to other locations. These cases do not involve new registration. Apart from these, the CVR is essentially for Nigerians who have attained the age of 18 years and have not registered earlier.

    “With our improved systems using the ABIS, the Commission shall continue to clean up the register to eliminate invalid registration and ensure that only those who should be in the Register of Voters are included. It is precisely the introduction of this more robust system that has enabled us to improve our ability to detect these invalid registrants.

    “However, we also suspect that some of these invalid registrations may have arisen out of ignorance. Consequently, the Commission is establishing a dedicated Help Desk for people who need information about the CVR. Kindly use the Help Desk if you are in doubt about your registration status or whether you should register or not.

    “Furthermore, citizens who have no access to the internet can ask the Registration Officer at the Registration Centre before proceeding. You can contact the Help Desk by phone as well as our various social media handles,” he said.

    Availability of permanent voters’ cards (PVCs)

    Meanwhile, the INEC Chairman said that after completing the data clean up, the Commission has printed 1,390,519 PVCs for genuine new registrants.

    “In addition, 464,340 PVCs for verified applicants for transfer or replacement of cards have also been printed.

    “Consequently, a total of 1,854,859 PVCs are now ready. They will be delivered to our State offices across the country over the Easter holiday. They will be available for collection by the actual owners in person immediately after the holiday.

    “No PVC will be collected by proxy. I must reiterate that the available cards only cover those who registered in the First and Second Quarters of the exercise,” Yakubu said.

    TNG reports the INEC Chairman assured those who registered between January and March 2022 as well as those who are doing so right now that their PVCs will be ready for collection long before the 2023 General Election.

  • INEC Boss announces when regulations, guidelines for 2023 elections would be ready

    INEC Boss announces when regulations, guidelines for 2023 elections would be ready

    Prof Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the regulations and guidelines for the 2023 general election will be ready ten months before the elections proper.

    Yakubu gave the hint, when he received a delegation from John D and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, in Abuja, and later released in an INEC Daily Bulletin on Tuesday.

    The INEC Chairman recalled that in 2019, the Commission was constrained by time due to the uncertainty that trailed the electoral legal framework.

    He said that saw the Commission signing off on the Regulations and Guidelines on January 19, 2019, few weeks to the election.

    “But we hope that this time around we will sign off on the regulations and guidelines at least 10 months before the next general election, which is very good progress for us”.

    Speaking further on the Commission’s source of power to develop the guidelines and regulations, the INEC Chairman said the commission was happy with the assent of President Muhammadu Buhari to the Electoral Bill.

    “We now have a new electoral law, on the bases of which we commenced work on the regulations and guidelines.

    “Electoral Act cannot say everything, so the National Assembly donates part of its power to INEC to make Regulations and Guidelines and these Regulations and Guidelines have forms of subsidiary legislation,” Yakubu said.

    He further disclosed that INEC had virtually finished the processes.

    “Our Election Project Plan (EPP) is ready and about to be published, the Strategic Plan is already completed and published.

    “We also publish and gazette the Guidelines and send the three documents to the stakeholders and general public next month,” he said.

    Earlier in his remarks, the President of John D and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, John Palfrey, congratulated INEC for the successes achieved in areas where it made recommendations after 2019 general election.

    He recalled that the foundation was able to visit in 2019 and discussed with INEC several things that were underway at that time

    “One was the progress of the Electoral Act, and I’d like to congratulate you on the passage of the Electoral Act.

    “Second, we discussed and encouraged the creation of a new department on Gender and Inclusivity, here at INEC and congratulate you on the creation of this department and the successful implementation.

    “The third thing we discussed was the creation of new polling units and I understand that these too have been completed and that you are well in preparation for 2023,” Palfrey said.

    Palfrey explained that their mission at the Commission was to learn more about INECs plans the 2023 general election.

  • INEC fixes new dates for 2023 election

    INEC fixes new dates for 2023 election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has adjusted the dates for the 2023 general elections, following Friday’s signing of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the INEC Chairman, said this at a news conference on the release of the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 General Elections in Abuja on Saturday.

    Yakubu said that the Presidential and National Assembly elections, earlier slated for Feb. 18, 2023, have been shifted to Feb.25, 2023, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections have been adjusted from March 4, 2023 to March 8, 2023.
    According to him, with the adjustment, the 2023 General Election is now 363 days away.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari having signed the Electoral Bill 2022 into law made history by making it the fourth time since the restoration of democracy in Nigeria in May 1999 that the Electoral Act was repealed and re-enacted,” Yakubu said.

    This , he said gave INEC the leeway to begin 2023 general elections activities.
    “You may recall that in 2017, the commission decided to fix dates for general elections in Nigeria. This decision was based on our determination to create certainty in the electoral calendar.

    “It is to also enable all stakeholders in the electoral process ,the electoral commission, political parties and candidates, security agencies, observers, the media among others to prepare adequately for elections.

    “By that decision, Presidential and National Assembly election shall hold on the third Saturday of the month of February of each general election year, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly election shall follow two weeks later.

    “Consequently, the 2023 General Election was scheduled to commence on Feb. 18, 2023 with the Presidential and National Assembly elections, followed by the governorship and state Houses of Assembly election on March 4, 2023,” Yakubu said.

    He added: “However, the commission could not release the detailed timetable and schedule of activities for the General Election, as it normally would, because of the pending enactment of the Electoral Act, 2022 which has now been signed into law.”

    Yakubu said that the Electoral Act 2022, together with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, formed the legal basis for conducting all elections in Nigeria.

    He said that in particular, the Electoral Act provided strict timelines for the implementation of electoral activities based on the date of the General Election.

    He added that one of the significant timelines was the publication of Notice of Election not later than 360 days before the day appointed for holding an election which has now lapsed for the 2023 General Election.

    Yakubu said that consequently, the commission had decided to adjust the dates for the 2023 General Election to ensure compliance with the provisions of the new law.

    He said that under the law, there were critical time-bound activities from the publication of Notice of Election to the Conduct of Poll which formed the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for elections.

    “Some of the critical activities and their dates of implementation are as follows:Publication of Notice of Election – Monday, Feb. 28.

    “Conduct of party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them – Monday, April 4, to Friday, June 3.

    “Submission of nomination forms to INEC via the online portal for Presidential and National Assembly election – 9.00a.m.,on Friday June 10 to 6.00p.m.,on Friday June 17,” he said.

    The Chairman said that submission of nomination forms to INEC via the online nomination portal for governorship and states Houses for Assembly election would start as from 9.00a.m.,on Friday, July,1 to 6.00p.m.,on Friday, July 15.

    He added that the commencement of campaign by political parties for presidential and national assembly election would begin on Wednesday, Sept.28.

    Yakubu said that the commencement of campaign by political parties for governorship and state houses of assembly election was Wednesday, Oct. 12.

    He added that the last day forbcampaign by political parties for Presidential and National Assembly election would be midnight of Thursday, Feb. 23,2023.

    He said that the last day for campaign by political parties for governorship and state houses of assembly election was midnight of Thursday, March 9, 2023.

    Yakubu said that the detailed soft copy of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election would be uploaded to the INEC website and social media platforms.

    He said that in addition, the Notice of Election would be published at INEC’s offices in all the states of the Ffderation as required by law on Monday, Feb. 28.

    He said that with the coming into force of the Electoral Act 2022, the commission would work assiduously to conclude and publish new Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections that in consistent with the Act.

    He said that these Regulations and Guidelines as well as Manuals issued by the commission were all part of the legal regulatory framework for elections.

    Yakubu added that their timely publication would enable all stakeholders in the electoral process to become conversant with their provisions as they prepared for the 2023 General Election.

    “On this note, I wish to remind stakeholders, especially the political parties, of their responsibility to adhere strictly to the timelines in this Timetable and Schedule of Activities, as well as all other timelines established by the commission.

    “It is necessary that all political parties comply with the extant legal framework, ensure proper organisation and management of party primaries and the nomination of qualified candidates in order to prevent unnecessary litigations and rancour.”

  • INEC Chairman tasks new commissioners on credible election

    INEC Chairman tasks new commissioners on credible election

    Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has tasked new Electoral Commissioners to ensure fairness and work towards credible elections in Nigeria.

    He stated this when he received newly appointed National Electoral Commissioners at INEC Headquarters on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Yakubu said the commissioners had a serious task ahead in discharging their duties and enjoined them to be conversant with the rules, procedures and responsibilities of their offices.

    “As I welcome the new Commissioners, I urge you to deploy your vast knowledge and diverse experiences to the service of the country as unbiased referees.

    “I am confident that you will join us in further extending the frontiers of free and fair elections in Nigeria

    “As I told the last set of Commissioners shortly after they were sworn in five months ago on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, our success in this arduous task draws largely from our integrity as election managers

    “We must be strict in the application of the law, firm in handling the public trust bestowed in us and fair in our dealings with political parties, candidates and other stakeholders and all Nigerians,” he said.

    Yakubu added: “In discharging our enormous responsibilities, we must abide by our oaths of office.

    “We must continue to defend the choice made by Nigerians at the polls by protecting the sanctity of the vote without which the value of democratic election is diminished.’’

    He said the commissioners joined INEC three days to the conduct of six by-elections to fill vacancies in three federal and three state constituencies of Cross River, Imo, Ondo and Plateau.

    “In addition to the six by-elections holding this weekend, there are three pending by-election in Zamfara (Shinkafi and Gusau I State Constituencies) and Kaduna State (Giwa West State Constituency).

    “In addition, we are right now preparing for two off-cycle Governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States scheduled for June 18 and July 16 respectively as well as the 2023 general elections,” Yakubu said.

    He expressed confidence that the new commissioners would be committed to the conduct of credible elections in Nigeria.

    Yakubu said that cumulative experiences of the new commissioners in diverse fields would strengthen the work of INEC, especially in the area of reforming the electoral process and the conduct of free and credible elections.

    He said that with the assumption of duty of the commissioners, INEC has a full complement of 12 National Commissioners.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had sworn in the six national commissioners at the State House, Abuja.

    Four of the national commissioners who were returned included Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, a lawyer; and Malam Mohammed Haruna, a journalist.

    Others were Mr Sam Olumekun, a retired civil servant, who had served as REC in many states including Lagos and Mr Kenneth Ukeagu, a career staff of the Commission, who rose to the rank of a director.

    The other two National Commissioners were Mrs Rhoda Gumus, a Professor of Engineering, and Modibbo Alkali, a retired Major General in the Nigerian Army.

  • 2023: Dates for collection of PVCs to be announced soon – INEC

    2023: Dates for collection of PVCs to be announced soon – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the actual dates for the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) nationwide would be announced very soon.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu made this known on Friday in his remarks at the first quarterly meeting with media organisations for the year 2022 held at the Commission’s conference room in Abuja.

    According to Yakubu, the Commission was still in the process of cleaning up data to ensure that only eligible citizens are added to the voters’ register for the 2023 General Election.

    The INEC Chairman stressed that those who had registered at any time previously need not register again, adding in the remarks that critical preparations for the 2023 General Election must be concluded this year.

    “We are aware that Nigerians want to know when their PVCs will be available for collection. We appreciate the role of media organisations in encouraging and mobilizing eligible Nigerians who have not registered to do so.

    “At the same time, we want you to continue to sensitise them that those who had registered at any time previously need not register again.

    “For those who have completed the registration, the Commission is right now undertaking the most comprehensive cleaning up of the data to ensure that only eligible citizens are added to the voters’ register for the 2023 General Election.

    “We will share our findings with Nigerians very soon. The actual dates for the collection of the PVCs nationwide will also be announced very soon,” Yakubu said.

    Read full remarks of the INEC Chairman below:

    1.​ I warmly welcome you to our first regular quarterly consultative meeting for this year. On behalf of the Commission, therefore, let me start by wishing you all a happy and blissful New Year.

    2.​ On another happy note, let me congratulate our friend and brother, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, on his re-election as President of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) at its 7th Triennial Delegates’ Conference in October last year. We appreciate the existing strong partnership between the Commission and the NUJ under your leadership. We also look forward to strengthening such partnership, especially as we continue to conduct more off-cycle and bye-elections this year and implement critical activities towards the 2023 General Election which is just 393 days away.

    3.​ Some of the critical preparations for the 2023 General Election must be concluded this year. For instance, the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) which commenced in June last year has entered the third quarter. As at Monday 17th January 2022, a total of 8,260,076 eligible Nigerians commenced the online pre-registration; completed the registration physically; applied for transfer to new voting locations; requested for replacement of their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs); and updated their voter information records. The Commission has been publishing weekly progress reports of the exercise, including analysis of the distribution of online and completed registration by age group, occupation, gender and disability. Since the exercise commenced in June last year, the Commission has so far published 36 weekly reports which show a consistent pattern of young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 34 constituting the largest majority of registrants. In terms of occupation, students constitute the largest majority of registrants which is consistent with the dominance of young Nigerians as voters. There is a lot of information for public enlightenment and sensitization. We seek for the support of media organisations in this regard.

    4.​ Related to the issue of voter registration is the issuance of PVCs. We are aware that Nigerians want to know when their PVCs will be available for collection. We appreciate the role of media organisations in encouraging and mobilizing eligible Nigerians who have not registered to do so. At the same time, we want you to continue to sensitise them that those who had registered at any time previously need not register again. For those who have completed the registration, the Commission is right now undertaking the most comprehensive cleaning up of the data to ensure that only eligible citizens are added to the voters’ register for the 2023 General Election. We will share our findings with Nigerians very soon. The actual dates for the collection of the PVCs nationwide will also be announced very soon.

    5.​ In the next 23 days i.e. 12th February 2022, a major end of tenure election will hold in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to elect 6 Area Council Chairmen/Chairwomen and 62 Councillors. This will be followed by two Governorship elections in Ekiti State on 18th June 2022 and Osun State on 16th July 2022. Party primaries for the Ekiti State Governorship election are scheduled for 4th – 29th January 2022. For the Osun State Governorship election, primaries will hold from 16th February to 12th March 2022. In the case of Ekiti State, all the 18 political parties have indicated their intention to participate in the election and have already served the mandatory notices for their primaries to elect their candidates as required by law. The Commission’s preparation for the three off-cycles elections is one of the issues for discussion at this meeting.

    6.​ In addition to the end of tenure elections, six bye-elections are scheduled to hold on Saturday 26th February 2022 in Cross River, Imo, Ondo and Plateau States. The detailed Timetable is already uploaded on our website and social media platforms. Hard copies are also included in your folders for this meeting. However, three bye-elections are still pending. You may recall that the Commission suspended Ekiti East I State Constituency bye-election in March 2020 following its violent disruption by thugs. The election will now be combined with the State Governorship election holding on 18th June 2022. The date for the Shinkafi State Constituency bye-election in Zamfara State will be announced after a thorough review of the security situation in the area, while the Commission awaits the declaration of vacancy by the Kaduna State House of Assembly in respect of Giwa West State Constituency.

    7.​ On this note, I want to draw your attention to the distribution of voters to Polling Units in the FCT, particularly the fact that 593 out of 2,822 (or 21%) of the total, do not have voters. This is because voters failed to take advantage of the expansion of access to transfer to these new Polling Units. The list of Polling Units having 0 – 50 registered voters in the FCT is among the documents in your folders for this meeting. The Commission looks forward to the support of media organisations to encourage voters who wish to transfer from their present Polling Units to new ones created as part of the Commission’s expansion of access polling units across the country. After all, your support was crucial to the success of the recent expansion of voter access to polling units for the first time in 25 years since the initial delimitation in 1996.

    8.​ For emphasis, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will be deployed in the FCT elections which is the second major election after the Anambra Governorship election held in November last year. The 68 constituencies cover extensive urban and rural locations sharing border with five States in the North Central and North Western parts of the country. This is yet another opportunity to pilot the efficacy of the BVAS in a different geographical, geo-political and electoral context. The same technology will be deployed in all forthcoming elections across the country. Similarly, for all elections going forward, Polling Unit results will be uploaded in real-time on the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

    9.​ As we commence our first regular quarterly consultative meeting for the year, let me once again wish you a happy new year and for the NUJ President and his team a successful tenure.

    10.​ I thank you and God bless.

  • INEC tells parties to respect chosen dates for Ekiti, Osun primaries

    INEC tells parties to respect chosen dates for Ekiti, Osun primaries

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has advised political parties to respect chosen dates for Ekiti, Osun Governorship Election Primaries, based on the commission’s timetable and schedule of activities.

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this disclosure at the commission’s first quarterly meeting with political parties for 2022, on Tuesday, in Abuja.

    Yakubu also advised party leaders to conduct transparent primaries for the two states elections.

    He said that already, many parties had rescheduled their primaries several times, while INEC had earmarked a period of three weeks and four days (i.e. 25 days) for the conduct of the Ekiti governorship primaries.

    “For Ekiti , virtually all political parties have decided to hold their primaries in the last 4 days (Jan 26 to Jan. 29). In fact, seven political parties have chosen the last day for their primaries.

    “Similarly, no party has so far submitted its list of aspirants, the composition of its electoral panel, or the register of members or list of delegates, depending on the chosen mode for electing its candidates.

    “As at yesterday, only one party has indicated the venue for its primaries. I urge you all to do so immediately to enable us to work out the detailed plans for monitoring the primaries.

    “All primaries for electing candidates must take place in the constituency where election will hold as required by law.

    “In the cases of Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, any primaries conducted outside the two states will not be monitored by the commission and their outcomes will not be accepted.

    “This also applies to primaries for bye-elections conducted outside the constituencies,’’ Yakubu said.

    On the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Yakubu said that INEC had last week, presented the register of voters to political parties.

    He noted that the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for new registrants, requests for transfers and replacement of cards, had been printed and delivered many weeks ago to INEC FCT office for collection by voters.

    He stated that in the next few weeks, INEC would intensify stakeholder engagements, monitoring of campaigns by political parties and preparations for Election Day activities.

    “On this note, I want to draw your attention to the distribution of voters to Polling Units in the FCT, particularly the fact that 593 out of 2,822 or 21 per cent of the total, do not have voters.

    “This is because voters failed to take advantage of the expansion of access to transfer to these new Polling Units.

    “The detailed distribution of voters to Polling Units in the FCT is among the documents in your folders for this meeting.’’

    Yakubu assured party leaders that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) would be deployed in the FCT elections, which is the second major election after the Anambra governorship election, held in November.

    He said the FCT elections which comprised 68 constituencies (six Chairmen and 62 Councillors) was another opportunity to pilot the efficacy of the BVAS in a different geographical, geopolitical and electoral context.

    The INEC boss said the constituency covered extensive urban and rural locations, sharing border with five states in the North-Central and North-Eastern parts of the country.

    “The same technology will be deployed in all forthcoming bye-elections across the country.

    “For all elections going forward, polling unit results will be uploaded in real-time to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal,” he said.

  • Speedy passage of electoral amendment bill is crucial for 2023 elections – INEC

    Speedy passage of electoral amendment bill is crucial for 2023 elections – INEC

    The independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says a speedy passage of the Electoral Amendment Bill, currently before the National Assembly, was crucial to its preparations for future elections, including the 2023 general elections.

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this disclosure at the commission’s first quarterly meeting with political parties for the year 2022, on Tuesday, in Abuja.

    Yakubu said that INEC was looking forward to the passage to release its timetable for the 2023 general elections.

    He said that the passage of the act was crucial for INEC: “On the Electoral Amendment Bill currently before the National Assembly, the Commission is encouraged by the Senate President’s assurance to give priority attention to the Bill, when the National Assembly reconvenes from its recess today.

    “We are also encouraged by the commitment of the President to assent to the Bill as soon as the issue of mode of primaries by political parties is resolved.

    “We look forward to a speedy passage of the Bill, which is crucial to our preparations for future elections.

    “As soon as it is signed into law, the commission will quickly release the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 General Elections, based on the new law,’’ Yakubu said.

    Yakubu said further that the year 2022 was going to be a very busy year for the commission and the political parties, as the 2023 general election was just 396 days away and all the critical preparations must be concluded in 2022.

    He disclosed that as at Monday, Jan. 17 a total of 8,260,076 eligible Nigerians commenced the online pre-registration, completed the registration physically in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

    Yakubu said that the figure also included voters who applied for transfer to new voting locations, replacement of their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) or updated their voter information records as required by law.

    The CVR, which commenced in June 2021, has entered the third quarter.

    The INEC chairman said that: “ at the moment, the commission is undertaking the most comprehensive cleaning of the data, to ensure that only eligible citizens were added to the voters’ register for the 2023 general election.

    “We will share our findings with Nigerians and the actual dates for the collection of the PVCs nationwide, will be announced very soon.

    “I want to request that you continue to encourage eligible voters who have not registered to do so, bearing in mind that those who had registered at any time previously need not register again.

    “Also, encourage voters who wish to transfer from their present Polling Units to new ones created, as part of the commission’s expansion of voter access polling units, to do so immediately,’’

    In his remarks, National Chairman, Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) Mr Yabagi Sani, urged INEC to take measures to rectify observed lapses in the Nov. 2021 governorship election in Anambra state.

    Sani stressed the need for upgrading the level of the diligence and proficiency of both INEC permanent and ad hoc personnel on election duties, by way of training, refresher courses and re-orientation.

    He also called for a more robust deployment of logistics and greater performance in the distribution of vital election materials.

    He also called on the executive and judicial arms of government to consider adequate appropriation and funding of INEC, more seriously.

    “We are making this appeal for a more realistic funding of INEC against the backdrop of the humongous reduction in the budgetary allocation to the agency, in the recently passed 2022 Appropriation Act.

    “This, in our view, did not reflect the demands of a robust and timely preparations for the 2023 general elections.

    “Beside the significance of ensuring the success of the newly introduced digital gadgets and reforms, the relevant authorities must take into cognisance the challenges posed by the prevailing and pervading atmosphere of insecurity in the country, which may not significantly abate before the historic elections,’’ Sani said.

    He also called on the National Assembly to immediately address controversial areas in the 2021 Electoral (Amendment) Bill, while also appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari to thereafter, assent to the Bill without delay.

    Sani commended series of new strategies and internal restructuring in the administrative machinery of INEC as well as the use of innovations and application of science and technology to enhance Nigeria’s democracy.

    Sani expressed the hope that the standards of performance by INEC would not only be sustained, but further perfected and improved upon for greater degrees of success in its conduct of future elections, especially in Ekiti, Osun and the FCT.

  • BREAKING: INEC Chairman reveals total cost of 2023 general elections

    BREAKING: INEC Chairman reveals total cost of 2023 general elections

    Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has revealed the total cost of the 2023 general elections.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the INEC Chairman as saying the 2023 general elections will gulp a total sum of N305 billion.

    Prof Yakubu said the amount will enable the Commission to prepare for the election and purchase all the election materials needed.

    Speaking during a meeting with Senate Committee on Appropriation at the National Assembly on Monday, Yakubu said the Commission had already received N100 billion out of the required amount.

    He also said the total figure will cover the several bye-elections across the country.