8 INEC INDICTED STAFF OVER RIVERS RERUN TO FACE DISCIPLINARY ACTION, COMMENDS OUTSTANDING STAFF

Acting on the report of the Joint Police/DSS Special Investigation Panel on the Rivers State Re-Run elections of 10^th December 2016 and the Report of its Administrative Inquiry into the elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has decided that all the 28 indicted staff should face internal disciplinary action for gross misconduct, dereliction of duty and negligence.

 The Commission also commended five staff and ad-hoc staff for outstanding performances and offered automatic employment to two corps members.

The disclosures were made yesterday at the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja by the Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Prince Solomon Soyebi, during a press briefing.

The IVEC Chairman said: “The Commission received the Report of the Joint Police/DSS Special Investigation Panel on the Rivers State Re-Run elections of 10^th December 2016. From the Report, we gathered that the Police have concluded their investigations and 25 INEC staff who were indicted will be prosecuted.

 The Commission has resolved to fully co-operate with the Police in this process. In addition and without prejudice to their prosecution, the indicted INEC staff will also face the Commission’s internal disciplinary process”.

He explained that 3 additional staff not captured in the Police Report but indicted by the Commission’s Administrative Inquiry Committee, will face disciplinary action alongside the 25 indicted by the Police Committee

Prince Soyebi stressed that INEC will not shield any of its staff that engaged in any conduct that will undermine the integrity of the electoral process.

Acting on the Commission’s Administrative Inquiry Committee recommendation, The IVEC Chairman also disclosed that: “The Commission also accepted the recommendation to commend a number of ad-hoc and permanent staff, as well as Security officials who performed exceptionally well under very difficult circumstances of the elections, in particular, Prof Ralph Echebiri and Prof. Oji O. Ekemankama both of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike who served in Rivers West and East Senatorial Districts respectively; Aguna Isaac and Ademola Oluwatoba of the National Youth Service Corps, who served as Presiding Officers; and the Divisional Police Officer of Phalga at the time of the election, for his exemplary conduct and professionalism”.

He further disclosed that Aguna Isaac and Ademola Oluwatoba will be offered automatic employment by the Commission on completion of their youth corps service.  

The IVEC Chairman revealed that arising from the lessons learned in the aftermath of the Rivers re-run, the Commission further accepted the immediate implementation of several recommendations that would improve the electoral process and stressed that a major overhaul of the entire Rivers State INEC office would be carried out.

INEC SCHEDULES ANAMBRA GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION FOR NOVEMBER 18^th  

In compliance with the provisions of section 178 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Section 25 (7) and (8) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled Saturday, 18^th November 2017 for the Anambra state governorship election.

The date, Timetable and schedule of Activities for the election were made public yesterday by the Chairman of the Information and Voter Education (IVEC) Committee, Prince Solomon A. Soyebi, at a press briefing held at the Commission’s Headquarters.

In the document signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Augusta C. Ogakwu, 18^thAugust, 2017 has been scheduled for commencement of campaigns by Political Parties in compliance with Section 99 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) which provides 90 days before polling day.

The timetable also indicates that 22^nd July -2^nd September, 2017 has been scheduled for Conduct of Party Primaries including resolution of disputes arising from primaries. This is to enable Political Parties democratically nominate candidates for the election as required by Section 87 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended

Wednesday 18^th October, 2017 has been scheduled for the publication of official Register of Voters for the election, while Thursday 19^th October, 2017 is the date for publication of the final list of nominated candidates by Political Parties in accordance with Sections 20 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) which provides not later than 30 days before the election and Section 34 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) which also provides at least 30 days before the election respectively.

Thursday 16^th November, 2017, is the date fixed as the last day for campaigns in accordance to Section 99 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) which prohibits advertisements or broadcasts of campaigns 24 hours prior to the day of election.