ADVERTISEMENT

INEC demands timely arrest over attacks on facilities, provides update

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says timely arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of attacks on its facilities and assets nationwide would end the trend.

INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the retreat is organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

In his opening remarks, Yakubu said that in the last four months, five local government offices of the commission were attacked by unknown persons.

According to him, critical facilities and assets are lost to those attacks, hence the need to curb the trend urgently.

ADVERTISEMENT

He said: “These facilities including a total of 1,992 ballot boxes, 399 voting cubicles and 22 electric power generators as well as thousands of uncollected PVCs (Permanent Voter Cards) among many other items.

“These attacks must stop and the perpetrators apprehended and prosecuted. Our responsibility is to conduct elections. The best solution for us is the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators.

“The ultimate solutions are the arrest and prosecution of the culprits so that vandals and arsonists do not feel that bad behaviour is acceptable in our country. It is really very sad as elections approach.

“However, I want to assure Nigerians that we will recover from these attacks, those materials will be replaced, but there is a limit to our ability to keep replacing lost items with just 86 days to the general elections.”

According to him, the commission will continue to work with the security agencies, traditional and community leaders and all well-meaning Nigerians to stop the attacks.

ADVERTISEMENT

He said that INEC was committed to ensuring that nothing would stop the elections from going ahead as scheduled, ”and the will of Nigerian people will prevail. That is what we have been assuring Nigerians about.”

On the retreat, Yakubu said that it was part of the preparation for the 2023 general elections.

“We are having a retreat involving all the Residents Electoral Commissioners as we are aware 19 of them were sworn in about four weeks ago.

“We felt that there should be an induction retreat for them to familiarise themselves with the processes and procedures because the election is holding in the next 86 days,” the INEC boss said.

He said that the retreat would also dwell on standard operating procedures on the collection of PVCs, guidelines to voters distribution to polling units, framework for electoral logistics and code of conduct for commission’s members, officials and staff.

ADVERTISEMENT

Yakubu said that copies of code of conduct for members, officials and staff would be made available for all.

He added: “I want to reiterate that our success ultimately depends on our integrity. We should remain independent and impartial.

“The commission is not a political party. The commission has no candidates in the forthcoming elections.

”All political parties have equal standing before the commission. The choice belongs to Nigerian citizens, the electorate.

“Our responsibility is to uphold the sanctity of the ballots, nothing more and nothing less,” INEC boss said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Speaking on rumour that voters could vote without PVC on election day, Yakubu described such as “absolutely incorrect”, saying “for any person to vote, he or she must be a registered voter, issued with the PVC.

“The commission has consistently maintained a policies that ‘no PVCs, no voting. Nothing has changed. It is a legal requirements and doing otherwise will be a violation of the law.

“I urge Nigerians to ignore those suggestions that a person can vote on the election day without a PVC,” he said.

Commending UNDP for supporting the retreat, Yakubu said that the long standing partnership with INEC had gone a long way in sustaining the implementing progress being witnessed in the electoral processes.

In his goodwill message, Mr Deryck Fritz, the Chief Technical Advisor, UNDP, urged the RECs to effectively implement the policies of the commission and be proactive frontline problem-solvers.

ADVERTISEMENT

“It is you that must oversee the prudent management of the technical, material, financial and human resources entrusted to you. It is you that must engage impartially with the political actors.

“It is you that must foster the critical local relationships and partnerships with civil society organizations, with the state administration, with the transport unions, with other service providers, and with the police and other security services.

“In this period of the World Cup, we are reminded that successful elections, like successful football matches, are a result of cooperation and teamwork,” Fritz said.

According to him, for many, the recent trajectory of improved electoral management is viewed as irreversible, but as is the case in any election, opposing forces persist, such as marketplace politics and security challenges.

He said that these challenges would test the robustness of the INEC processes and procedures, and the commitment of its staff.

ADVERTISEMENT

He said that democracy, in many parts of the world, was under threat, adding that only with strong institutions would such threats be resisted and repelled.

“And where questions arise regarding the conduct of the process, or allegations of electoral mismanagement or even fraud, it is critical that trusted and competent mechanisms exist to address these concerns, as an important alternative to electoral violence and political instability.

“INEC as the constitutionally mandated body, must be and also be seen to be the impartial and neutral arbiter of the electoral contest,” he said.

NAN reports that the retreat has in attendance all the INEC Residents' Electoral Commissioners and top management staff of the commission.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

You make bold decisions & live with consequences - Ondo Gov hails Tinubu at 72

You make bold decisions & live with consequences - Ondo Gov hails Tinubu at 72

170 electrical vandalism cases in 2 years, 100 charged to court - EEDC

170 electrical vandalism cases in 2 years, 100 charged to court - EEDC

Tinubu appoints Bello as chairman of code of conduct bureau

Tinubu appoints Bello as chairman of code of conduct bureau

Don't curse, condemn Nigeria in your sermons - Tinubu tells clerics

Don't curse, condemn Nigeria in your sermons - Tinubu tells clerics

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT