The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has expressed concern over the spate of decisions and orders from the courts in the Nov. governorship election. 11 in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi.
The INEC official said, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said this on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting of the commission with leaders of political parties, on the election.
Yakubu said that such orders could be linked to the cost of the election and the standardization of the electoral process.
“In the case of the candidate, the commission is concerned about the number of decisions and orders of the court related to the selection, change or rejection of the candidates after publication all the important things are done.
“Reprinting things like court orders in a short period of time is not only expensive but also very difficult to manage the process.
“Although the commission has already published the final list of candidates for the three states, four court orders have forced us to review the list.
“These changes are reflected in the new list of parties and candidates on our website. However, this decision has no effect on the complaints pending by the candidates that their political parties have been affected,” he said.
The INEC chairman also expressed concern over the high level of violence against parties and candidates in the three states.
He also advised the political parties to consider submitting the names of delegates as important as selecting candidates for the election.
He said the political parties have not appointed representatives for all constituencies and assembly centers in the three states.
He added that in the coming days, INEC will publish the detailed description of the delegates transferred by all political parties for public information.
“I am pleased to report that the printing of officers’ identity cards will be completed this weekend. This allows political parties to hand out cards to their officials.
“All identification cards are QR Code-readable to ensure maximum security and prevent fraud by unknown persons,” he said.
Yakubu also said that INEC has provided all necessary equipment for the election in the three states, adding that the training of various ad hoc staff.
“We have conducted the approval of the voters and uploading the results in our IReV portal using BVAS. The registration of the concerned parties is in progress.
“Our state offices have completed the readiness assessment of our buildings and the movement of essentials to our 56 local government offices in the three states,” he said.
In his remarks, the chairman of IPAC, Mr Sani Yabagi urged INEC to use the November governorship election to address the problem of lack of trust among citizens.
Sani said the 2023 election has given Nigeria problems and disputes, leading to major problems in the electoral process.
“It is important for INEC, as the custodian of our democracy, to address this issue.
“To reaffirm the confidence of citizens, INEC must continue to demonstrate impartiality, transparency, and commitment to the conduct of free, fair and credible elections.
“This is not only a moral requirement but a necessary step in maintaining the integrity of our democratic system,” he said.
Yabagi said the commission is doing well in its preparations with no apparent encumbrances, adding that a lot needs to be done to ensure the credibility of elections in the country. and general implementation of the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act.
He called on INEC to work hard in persuading security agencies to play by the rules of engagement and resist the temptation of being exploited by hard-line politicians.
“The involvement of security agencies in the electoral process, when unavoidable, must be based on professionalism, independence, and commitment to protect our democracy. , rather than partisan interests.
“Citizens need security as they participate in the electoral process, knowing that their safety and security are guaranteed.
“The current security situation in the country and in the three states where the external election will be held is a real threat to the citizens’ full participation in the process,” he said.
[GNN]
