The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says
officials responsible for the infractions in the presidential election will not
be involved in the gubernatorial polls.
Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairperson, said this on Saturday at a
meeting with resident electoral commissioners (RECs) in Abuja.
Yakubu said it was imperative for the commission to review
performances from last week’s election and assess preparation for the
forthcoming polls.
He said although a lot of preparation had gone into the
presidential poll, a number of issues ranging from technology, delay by
election officials, and attitudes of political parties’ agents jeopardised the
outcome.
Yakubu also asked RECs to immediately initiate disciplinary
action where evidence of wrongdoing has been established.
“No doubt, last week’s national elections raised a number of
issues that require immediate, medium, and long-term solutions. The planning
for the election was painstakingly done. However, its implementation came with
challenges, some of them unforeseen,” he said.
“The issues of logistics, election technology, behaviour of some election personnel at different levels, attitude of some party agents and supporters added to the extremely challenging environment in which elections are usually held in Nigeria.
“We appreciate the sacrifice and doggedness of Nigerians and
the dignity and maturity displayed by political leaders even in the context of
divergent views about the election. A lot of lessons have been learnt.
“Of immediate concern to the commission is how the
identified challenges can be addressed as we approach the concluding phase of
the general election involving the largest number of constituencies i.e. 28
state governorship elections and 993 state houses of assembly seats.
“As we approach the governorship and state assembly
elections, we must work harder to overcome the challenges experienced in the
last election. Nothing else will be acceptable to Nigerians. All staff found to
be negligent, whether they are regular or ad hoc officials, including collation
and returning Officers, must not be involved in forthcoming elections. RECs
must also immediately initiate disciplinary action where prima facie evidence
of wrongdoing has been established.”
‘PROVEN IRREGULARITIES WILL BE ADDRESSED’
The Labour Party (LP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
have challenged the credibility of the presidential poll results.
The parties said the elections were a sham and demanded that
a fresh exercise be undertaken.
Reacting to the accusations, the INEC chairperson assured
aggrieved presidential candidates that proven irregularities in the election
will be addressed.
He said RECs will account for the failure to deploy
logistics in the commission’s facilities across the country.
“RECs will be held
responsible for any tardy arrangement or the failure to deploy electric power
generators to collation centres or polling units where such facilities are
needed. The commission has enough facilities in all the states of the
federation. Failure to deploy them is simply inexcusable,” Yakubu said.
“Arising from last week’s election, the commission has received reports from our state offices well as complaints and petitions from political parties and candidates. Where infractions of any kind are proven, there will be redress.”
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