Kogi election: 11th-hour judgements won’t alter our plans – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has
foreclosed any adjustment to its arrangement for the Kogi and
Bayelsa governorship elections on account of recently delivered
court judgments.

Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who
disclosed this on Tuesday in Lokoja, during a stakeholders’
meeting/signing of peace accord among political parties and
candidates, also assured INEC was ready to conduct next Saturday’s
election.

He declared all non-sensitive materials had been delivered to
the commission’s office in Lokoja while the sensitive materials had
been delivered to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The INEC boss also emphasised the essential value of the Smart
Card Readers (SRC), saying their use is mandatory in accordance
with the regulations and guidance of the commission for the conduct
of elections.

Yakubu however, appealed to all stakeholders to help the INEC in
making the exercise a peaceful and successful exercise, saying that
all the efforts of the commission to deliver a free, fair and
peaceful election require the support and commitment of all
stakeholders.

According to him: “I would like to assure the people of Kogi
State that our preparations will not be affected by the judgement
delivered five days ago in which a Federal High Court sitting in
Abuja ordered the Commission to include a political party on the
ballot.

“Although the judgement is at variance with the decision of
another Federal High Court in Abuja delivered ten days earlier
which affirmed the propriety of the Commission’s action in a
similar case by another political party, INEC has a consistent
record of obeying court orders.

“However, we will consider legitimate steps to address the
conflicting judgements by courts of coordinate jurisdiction in the
interest of our electoral jurisprudence.

“Furthermore, with four days to the Governorship elections, two
more cases challenging the decision of the Commission on the
validity of candidates’ nominations have been reserved for
judgement in Bayelsa and Kogi States.

“In addition, there are twelve (12) cases of intra-party
disputes filed by aspirants from different political parties
challenging the conduct of their own primaries and nomination of
candidates, some of which have been reserved for judgement in the
next few days.

“I must admit that the plethora of court cases and conflicting
judgements delivered on the eve of elections in Nigeria are
stressful to the Commission and costly to the nation.

“However, I wish to reassure the people of Bayelsa and Kogi
States that learning from experience, the Commission has taken
steps to ensure that the elections on Saturday in the two States
are not affected by any eleventh hour judgement.

“With only four days to the election, how prepared is the
Commission? The short answer is that we are ready.

“So far, the Commission has successfully implemented 12 out of
our 14-point plan for the election as required by law.

“The Commission has delivered all non-sensitive materials for
the election to our office here in Lokoja.

“The sensitive materials for the Governorship and Kogi West
Senatorial Re-run elections are also ready.

“As usual, they are being handled by the Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN). The normal process of inspection and distribution of
sensitive materials within the State will be done in the presence
of party agents, security agencies, observers and the media.

“The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Kogi State will
communicate the date and time for stakeholders’ inspection and the
arrangements for deployment in line with the Commission’s
established procedure.

“For emphasis, let me reiterate that the Smart Card Readers
(SCRs) have been configured.

“It is mandatory to use the SCRs for voter accreditation and
authentication in line with the Commission’s regulations and
guidelines for the conduct of elections.

“Let me also reiterate that voter inducement in all forms,
including vote-buying at polling units is a violation of the
law.

“The ban on the use of mobile phones and other photographic
devices in the voting cubicles is still in force and will be
strictly enforced and monitored.”