The Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday cleared air on its decision to withhold
certificate of return from Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo and three others.
Mr Festus Okoye, INEC National
Electoral Commissioner, Information and Voter Education, said the decision
“does not amount to shifting goal post at the middle of a match.”
He told the News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Awka that INEC only issues certificate to people
who genuinely won elections.
“Issuance of certificates of
return is a statutory function of INEC, it is only issued to those who won election
and must be done through free will of a returning officer.
“Our certificate is only for
those who won freely,” he said.
Okoye said the commission has the
right not to issue certificate to such persons as it would amount to
abnormality.
He said INEC action is not
targeted at the voters who voted people of their choice, but to address
excesses of those who wanted to use unconventional means to win elections.
“Once we have such case, INEC
will not issue certificate, but ensure that the right thing is done,” he said
He said at the moment that
contenders of the positions in all the four affected areas are in court adding
that INEC is awaiting for the outcome of the pending matters.
Okoye said if the court orders
INEC to issue certificates of return to the people involved, it would do same.
He said if a consequential order
is made directing INEC to conduct fresh election in the areas, the commission
would do same.
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