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Tag: voters

  • 2023 Elections: Six things to know before election day

    2023 Elections: Six things to know before election day

    Nigeria’s Presidential contest set for February by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has arguably been described as the World’s most important election, after 24 years of unbroken democracy.

    The country faces multifaceted challenges including corruption, high rate of unemployment, insecurity and inflation and many view the election as an opportunity to change the trajectory of the country, which will have a ripple effect on the continent.

    President of the National Endowment for Democracy Damon Wilson, noted that currently the fifth largest democracy in the world and the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria is on the path to becoming the second largest democracy in the world.

    “What happens here matters; it first of all matters to Nigerians but it can have a real impact on the pathway to the development of democracy in West Africa, across Africa and frankly around the world,” Wilson said during a recent television interview.

    Nigerians have shown increased interest in the forthcoming elections. INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, said 12,298,944 new voters successfully completed their registrations during the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise and more than 93.5 million of Nigeria’s 216 million population would be eligible to participate as voters during the election.

    As the collection of Permanent Voter’s Cards is set to end by 29 January, here are six things you should know before election day:

    1. Voters have the right to access the polling station between 8am – 2pm for accreditation on election day.
    2. Voters are entitled to receive information on the voting procedures from poll officials.
    3. Voting is expected to be done in secret.
    4. Voters will have a responsibility to obey all lawful instructions from the INEC and Security Officials on election duty.
    5. Voters can choose to either leave the polling unit after voting or wait in an orderly and peaceful manner for votes to be counted and results announced.
    6. National Youth Corps Members (NYSC) with disabilities will serve as Presiding Officers during the election.
  • Just in: Finally, INEC releases list of 93.4m registered voters 

    Just in: Finally, INEC releases list of 93.4m registered voters 

    …as youth population tops age distribution chart

    Barely two months to the 2023 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the total number of registered voters for the elections to the 18 registered political parties in Nigeria.

    The registered voters’ list was handed over to the representatives of all the political parties by INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu at a meeting with political parties held at the Commission’s Conference Hall, Maitama, Abuja on Wednesday, January 11, 2023.

    A closer look at the Registered Voters’ list shows that out of the 93, 469, 008 persons who are on the register, 49, 054, 162 are male while 44, 414, 846 are female.

    But the Voter Distribution shows that male accounted for 52.5% and 47.5% female even as Occupational Distribution saw Students having the highest number of 26, 027, 481 or 27.8% voters while farmers and fishermen/women are 14, 742, 554 or 15.8%.

    A report by Prompt News said that in the Age Group, Youths (18-34) lead with 37, 060, 399 or 39.65% registered voters; Middle-Ages (35-49) came second with 33, 413, 591 or 35.75%.

  • Preliminary register of voters stands at 93.5m – Prof. Mahmood

    Preliminary register of voters stands at 93.5m – Prof. Mahmood

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the number of registered voters in Nigeria, has risen from 84,004,084 to 93,522,272, following the addition of 9,518,188 newly registered voters.

    Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman, INEC Chairman, said this at third quarterly meeting with political parties for 2022 on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Yakubu said that the figure was preliminary as Section 19(1) and (2) of the Electoral Act 2022 required the commission to display the hard copies of the register of voters for each Registration Area (ward) and Local Government Area (LGA).

    He added that INEC was also required to simultaneously publish the entire register on its website for two weeks for scrutiny, claims and objections by citizens not later than 90 days to a general election.

    “Accordingly, in the next few days, the commission will print 9,352,228 pages of the register.

    “The hard copy will be displayed for each of the 8,809 Registration Areas (Wards) and 774 LGAs nationwide while the entire register will be published on our website for claims and objections as required by law.

    “The display of the physical register will take place at the designated centers from Saturday ,Nov. 12 to Friday, Nov. 25.

    “Further details, including the procedure for filing claims and objections, would be released by the commission next week,’’ he said.

    Yakubu appealed to the electorate to seize the opportunity of the display to scrutinise the list and help INEC to clean it up further so that the final register of voters for the 2023 general election can be compiled and published.

    He said that 12,298,944 Nigerians successfully completed the registration as new voters during the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) which started on June 28 before its suspension on July 31.

    Yakubu said that after a rigorous cleaning-up of the data using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), a total of 2,780,756 (22.6 per cent) was identified as ineligible registrants and invalidated from the record.

    The INEC chairman said among those affected were double/multiple registrants, under aged persons and out rightly fake registrations that failed to meet the commission’s business rules.

    “Consequently, the number of valid registrations (post-ABIS) is 9,518,188.

    “In terms of demographic distribution, 7.2 million new voters or 76.5 per cent are young people between 18-34 years while there is a slightly higher number of female (4.8 million or 50.82 per cent) than male (4.6 million or 49.18 per cent) voters.

    “In terms of occupation, 3.8 million (40.8 per cent) are students. Hard copies giving the full details of the distribution of the new voters are included in your folders for this meeting.

    “The soft copy has already been uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms,’’ he said.

    He said that INEC was working to ensure the completion of printing of remaining PVCs for new voters as well as those that applied for transfer or the replacement of their lost or damaged cards.

    Yakubu said that in the coming days, INEC would inform Nigerians of its detailed plans to ensure a seamless collection of the PVCs.

    He said that INEC had so far successfully implemented nine of the 14 activities for the 2023 general election.

    He added that the commission was making a steady progress in other critical areas of preparations for the election.

    This according to Yakubu, includes the provision of sensitive and non-sensitive materials, the recruitment of staff and planning for the movement of personnel and materials for the election.

    “Only last week, we commenced the training of master trainers on election technology to ensure a seamless process.

    “Beginning from tomorrow, we will commence the same training at zonal level and subsequently train all the ad hoc staff for the 176,846 polling units nationwide,’’ he said.

    Yakubu said that incidence form would not be used in 2023 general election, saying there was no going back on the deployment of technology for the election.

    “On this note, let me once again reassure Nigerians that there is no going back on the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for voter accreditation.

    “There is no going back on the transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) in real-time on Election Day.

    “There will be no Incident Form that enables ineligible persons to vote using other people’s Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) during election.

    “We are committed to ensuring that the 2023 general election is transparent and credible, reflecting the will of the Nigerian people,’’ he said.

  • No new registrant has been added to Voters’ Register – INEC

    No new registrant has been added to Voters’ Register – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has yet to add new registrants, captured at the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) to the Voters’ Register for 2023 General Election.

    INEC said this in a statement by Festus Okoye, its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee in Abuja on Thursday.
    Okoye said that no new registrant would also be added to the register until the supplemental activities for their integration have been completed in line with the law.

    “The attention of the commission has been drawn to a report of a press conference addressed by the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) on the Register of Voters for the 2023 general election.

    “The commission recognises and respects the right of citizens, either as individuals and groups, to demand explanation from public agencies, including INEC, and to hold them accountable.

    “However, it is always important that caution is exercised so that such interventions do not unwittingly sow doubts in the public mind, thereby diminishing public confidence and trust in the electoral process,” he said.

    Okoye said that Nigerians would recall that on July 31, the commission suspended the CVR to commence supplemental activities that would culminate in the integration of new registrants into the final register of voters for the 2023 General Election.

    “It Is important to reiterate that no new registrant has yet been added to the Register of Voters for the 2023 General Election or will be included until these supplemental activities have been completed in line with the law.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, we restate the main components of these activities.

    “ First, the Commission is conducting a comprehensive Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) cleanup of the registration data by scrutinising every record.

    “Based on the Electoral Act 2022, any record that does not meet all the criteria for inclusion as stipulated in Section 10, including the appearance in person by the registrant at the registration venue with proof of identity, age and nationality and our business rules requirements of adequate number of fingerprints and clear pictures will be invalidated.

    “Further, in line with Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, after the ABIS and clean up, the Commission shall appoint a period of seven days during which the register will be published for scrutiny by the public for objections and complaints.

    “Finally, it is only after the cleanup and claims and objections have been completed that the final register will be published,” he said.

    Okoye said that INEC would continue to provide the public with updates on the progress made on the processes.

    “The ABIS for the period of registration between Jan. 15 and July 31 is being concluded presently, and the outcome in terms of multiple and ineligible records will be made public.

    “For instance, in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo, where the commission allegedly registered ineligible persons, 3,316 ineligible registrants have so far been invalidated and the process is still ongoing,” he said.

    Okoye appealed to Nigerians to await the commission’s display of the register for claims and objections, so they can raise any concerns that they might have on the registration.

    He reiterated that “ABIS was robust and would detect practically all ineligible records for removal.

    “Nigerians should be reassured of the commission’s commitment to the credibility of the electoral process in Nigeria.

    “We appeal for your support while we painstakingly deal with the cleanup of the register and other processes that will guarantee that the general election in 2023 is free, fair, credible and inclusive,” he said.

  • Osun election: People’s power ‘ll continue to triumph – Makinde

    Osun election: People’s power ‘ll continue to triumph – Makinde

    Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has congratulated Sen. Ademola Adeleke, on his victory at the just-concluded Osun governorship election.

    The congratulatory message is contained in a statement in Ibadan on Sunday by Mr. Taiwo Adisa, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor.

    Makinde hailed the people of Osun, saying that the power of the people will always triumph.

    The governor commended the teeming voters across the 30 local government areas of Osun for standing by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and staying resolute to ensure that their votes counted.

    According to him, Adeleke’s victory was similar to what happened in Oyo state in the 2019 governorship election when the people exercised their franchise in support of an opposition party.

    Makinde lauded  Adeleke, PDP members and Osun voters for remaining strong and unwavering throughout the electioneering period.

    “On behalf of the government and the good people of Oyo state, I congratulate the Osun governor-elect, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, and the people of Osun on this victory.

    “It is great to have a second PDP flag flying in the South-West and this victory teaches all politicians an important lesson- that truly, power resides with the people.

    “The power of the people will continue to triumph, the earlier politicians realise this fact, the better for our democracy.” Makinde said.

  • Osun Guber 2022: voting begins with large turnout of voters

    Osun Guber 2022: voting begins with large turnout of voters

    There have been a moderate turnout of the electorate for the Osun governorship election, as accreditation of voters has started in some polling units in Ede North and Ede South

    It was reported that the exercise began at 8: 23 a.m., in some wards and polling units.

    At Ward 2, unit 9, Abogunde /Sagba, accreditation started at exactly 8:25 a.m, with voters being accredited with the Bimodal Voters Accreditation system (BVAS).

    The BVAS machine was working well without hitches to delay the ongoing exercise.

    Also, the Presiding Officer ( PO) at Ojunsun ward 2, unit 7, Miss Ilelaboye Funmilayo, an NYSC member, told newsmen the machine was functional with voters being accredited and also voting immediately.

    At ward 2, unit 9, the Presiding Officer, Mr James Egbhaname, also said the BVAS was fast in accrediting the voters before voting properly.

    Also, in Agbala area, ward 8 unit 13, accreditation started at 8:35 a.m, with a large turnout of voters for the exercise.

    In the Atapara area, ward 1, unit 1, accreditation and voting started at 8:30 a.m. with a large turnout of voters casting their votes immediately after being accredited.

    A voter who got accredited at Ward 2, unit 9, Mr Lawal Ademola, said the process of seemed easy, compared to what it was in 2018.

    Ademola commended the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) for the BVAS machines and their tireless efforts in making the election a success.

    Also, a 70-year-old woman, Mrs Bilikisu Rufai, who also voted, commended the authorities for making the process of accreditation and voting easy.

    According to the Independent National Electoral Commission, Ede North has a registered voters of 71, 750 for the governorship election, with 151 polling units and 11 registration areas.

    Also, Ede South has 54, 880 registered voters, with 89 polling units and 10 registration areas where voters are expected to cast their votes.

    Newsmen further report that the accreditation is being carried out under tight security with election observers, media men and INEC officials monitoring the whole process.

    Accreditation and voting are expected to take place in 3,763 polling units across 30 local government areas, according to the electoral umpire, INEC.

    Also, the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machines are being used for the success of the exercise.

  • Ekiti election: Mass turnout of voters at polling units

    Unprecedented numbers of voters on Saturday thronged various polling units in different towns, villages and hamlets in Ekiti to perform their civic rights in the ongoing governorship election.

    Also, there were combined security personnel on the ground to protect the lives and property in different parts of the state and as well their presence was noticed at both far and near the polling centres.

    At the Ekiti office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), there was heavy presence of security agents to forestall any eventuality.

    Newsmen while on monitoring of the polling units, report that security agents arrived many polling units as early as 7.20 a.m.

    Aside the police, other security agencies and outfits providing security, include Civil Defence Corps, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

    At some of the border towns linking Ekiti with other states, military men were strategically stationed with officers and men, keeping vigil and conducting search on vehicle owners and occupants.

    The restriction placed on human and vehicular movement during election was strictly obeyed by residents and travellers alike, as most inter-township roads were empty.

    This development compelled many voters to trek long distances to their polling units, as there were no taxi or commercial motorcycle operators to convey them.

    Besides, all markets, shops and eateries were under lock and key.

    Some of the places visited included Ado-Ekiti, Ikere-Ekiti, Efon-Alaaye, in Efon Local Government area Ifaki-Ekiti, the home town of Mr Segun Oni, the Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    Other areas were Ise-Ekiti, the home town of former Minister of State for Works, Dayo Adeyeye, Emure-Ekiti, Ido-Ekiti and Omuo-Ekiti, hometown of Sen. Biodun Olujimi of the PDP and Rep. Femi Bamisile of the APC.

    In many of the places visited, scores of voters were seen already on queues, waiting for the attention of the electoral officers.

    Those sighted among the crowd of the enthusiastic voters, include students and artisans of between 18 and 20 years bracket, old people and a handful of expectant mothers.

    It was observed that in most of the places, officials including ad hoc staff, deployed by INEC arrived only few minutes after 8.00 a.m, while some of them have no chairs to sit on.

    Newsmen reports that 16 candidates from different political parties are slugging it out in today’s election, with only a female candidate, Mrs Kemi Elebute-Halle of ADP.

    Others include candidates of ACCORD, AAC, ADC, APC, APGA, APM, APO, LO, NNPP, NRM, PDP, PRP, SDP, YPP and ZLP.

    According to statistics at the disposal of newsmen, over 17,000 policemen were deployed for the election, with NSCDC deploying 9,747, while the army and others also deployed appreciable figures.

    When contacted, Mrs Morolake Odebunmi, the Public Relations Officer of INEC, told newsmen that there was nothing much to do at the INEC office this morning.

  • INEC declares APC winner of Imo state Bye-election

    INEC declares APC winner of Imo state Bye-election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Amajirionwu Blyden Okanni of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner of the just-concluded state assembly by-election into the Ngor-Okpala constituency of Imo State.

    Ameh Dennis Akor, a Professor of Drama and Critical Theory from Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi state, and the returning officer, announced the results at Umuneke in the Council Headquarters of Ngor-Okpala LGA on Sunday morning.

    He said that the APC candidate of polled 9 248 to defeat Jeff Nwachukwu of the PDP who polled 7 071 votes.

    He stated that the total registered voters across the 11 existing electoral wards in the area was 94,060, and the total number of accredited voters was 18 083, noting that polling commenced as early as 8:30a.m and ended at about 2:30p.m, noting that all accredited voters with Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) cast their votes.

    The election results were published, displayed and transmitted electronically using the forms EC60E and EC8A through the INEC’s portal.

    He further stated that the number of total votes cast was 17 862 and the total number of valid votes was 17 280 with rejected votes being 582.

    He commended the efforts of security agencies especially the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, CP Rabiu Hussaini and all stakeholders who participated before, during and after the elections for their maturity and understanding.

    No fewer than eleven registered political parties participated in the election.
    The parties included the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Labour Party (LP).

    Others were the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Allied People’s Movement (APM), Action Democratic Party (ADP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

  • FCT CP backtracks, says curfew stays due to security threat to Municipal polls

    FCT CP backtracks, says curfew stays due to security threat to Municipal polls

    The Federal Capital Territory, FCT Police Command made a u-turn at midnight declaring that the earlier announcement that restrictions will not be imposed during the municipal polls has been withdrawn.

    According to the two-paragraph statement, the command stated that it has credible intelligence that hoodlums may disrupt the election.

    Read statement below:

    Based on credible intelligence availabe to FCT police command, criminals are planning to explore the absence of restrictions of movement earlier announced to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the area council elections.

    Accordingly, FCT police found it necessary to restrict all movement from 8.00 am to 3.00 pm tomorrow Saturday, 12th February 2022. this is to enable eligible voters to exercise their civic responsibility.

  • CVR: INEC records 4.4m fresh registrations

    CVR: INEC records 4.4m fresh registrations

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has recorded 4,420,391 fresh registration in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) as of Monday, Nov. 29.

    INEC disclosed this in a Weekly update on CVR for 2nd Quarter Week Eight in Abuja on Monday.

    It said that as of Monday, Nov. 29 at 7a.m 1,971,617 persons comprised of 996,902 males and 974,715 females had completed online and physical registration.

    The registration according to INEC included 793,424 online and 1,178,193 physical registration.

    “A breakdown of the figure of persons that have completed their registration shows 19,783 Persons With Disability (PWDs) and 1,406,560 youths age between 14 and 35,” it said.

    INEC also disclosed that it has received a total of 6,958,463 applications as of 7 a. m. on Monday.

    It said that the figure included applications for voter transfer, requests for replacement of Permanent Voter Cards and update of voter information record, etc.

    The distribution of the applications according to the update included 3,735,889 males, 3,222,574 females and 74,445 PWDS, Youth (18-34) 4,466,214.

    The distribution according to age included 1,670,783 of middle age between 35 to 49 years; 724,108 elderly (between age 50 to 69) and 97,358 old persons (between 70 and above).