Acting on the report of the Joint Police/DSS Special
Investigation Panel on the Rivers State Re-Run elections of 10th 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 10th 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
18th
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, 18th 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, 18thAugust,
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 22nd July -2nd 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
18th October, 2017 has been scheduled for the publication of
official Register of Voters for the election, while Thursday 19th
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
16th 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.
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