Janet Samuel, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is concerned about the spate of recent judgments on candidature in the off-cycle elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi state.
The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu who made this known in Abuja at the quarterly consultative meeting with inter party Advisory Council, IPAC , noted that the development is worrisome as its plans for the elections.
He explained that the Commission has had to continually reprint sensitive election materials which he said are expensive and not easily procured.
“The Commission is concerned about the spate of recent judgements and orders of court in respect of the nomination, substitution or disqualification of candidates after all the sensitive materials have been printed.
“The reprinting of the materials in compliance with court orders within a short period of time is not only expensive but makes the management of the process very challenging. “Although the Commission has already published the final list of candidates for the three States, four recent court orders have compelled us to review the list.”
“These changes have been reflected in the updated list of parties and candidates on our website. However, this decision is without prejudice to any pending appeal by the affected candidates or their political parties.
Professor Yakubu further cautioned candidates of political parties and their supporters to maintain peace and order as the electionerring campaign intensified.
Speaking, Chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Engr. Yabagi Sani, urged INEC to take advantage of the forthcoming off-circle governorship elections in the three States to restore the voters’ confidence in the electoral process by demonstrating impartiality, transparency, and a commitment to free, fair, and credible elections.
He further noted that IPAC has since set up its First Peer Review of elected leaders and the creation of the IPAC Situation Room powered by the Election Results Management System (ERMS), aimed at strengthening democracy, improve governance, and enhance transparency in the electoral process.
