 |
| INEC BOSS |
The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) must be bold enough to let the whole World know whose interests the electoral umpire is protecting in Rivers State.
The Decision of the Prof.Mahmood Mohammed led Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) in suspending further action on the results already collated in various units,Wards and Local Government Area during the March 19 National and State House of Assembly Elections should be condemned by well meaning Nigerians.
Where are the Nigerian Bar Association? Civil Society Organisations? Senior Advocates of Nigeria,it is time to rise above board in condemning the continuous delays in releasing already collated Results of the Rivers National and State Assembly rerun by INEC
google_ad_client = “ca-pub-6246576949150083”;
google_ad_slot = “5106660250”;
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
INEC while announcing the Suspension of further actions on the Results already collated from the election claimed it was necessary following the tense atmosphere and non-peaceful conduct of the poll which has so far seen at least 5 persons dead, attack on several permanent and ad hoc officials of INEC and abduction of some INEC staff to unknown destinations.
INEC had in a statement by its director, voter education and publicity, Mr Oluwole Osaze- Uzzi, said: “Pursuant to the Orders of the Court of Appeal, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted elections into various seats in the National and the Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday, the 19th of March, 2016. READ ALSO: Assassination Attempts:
“Rather unfortunately, some of these elections witnessed the disruption of the process, including the barricading of some of the INEC Local Government offices and Registration Area Centres (RACs) used for the distribution of Electoral materials which led to the late commencement of the exercise in some places and consequently, its smooth take off. “Of more serious concern was the level of threats, violence and intimidation of election officials and voters by well armed thugs and miscreants allegedly acting on behalf of some politicians, which marred the elections in some areas.
“There were reports of numerous attacks resulting in fatalities, kidnappings, ballot snatching, diversion of officials and materials, amongst others, which necessitated its suspension in 8 Local Government Areas. “Regrettably, such deviant behaviour has continued today. Several permanent and ad hoc staff engaged have been attacked, again resulting in fatalities, while some have been forcibly abducted and taken to presently unknown destinations.
google_ad_client = “ca-pub-6246576949150083”;
google_ad_slot = “5106660250”;
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
“Under such difficult circumstance, the Returning Officers were only able to collate and declare results in 1 Federal and 9 State constituencies where the disruption and malpractices were not so widespread. “Having reviewed the situation, the Commission is compelled to suspend all further action concerning the exercise in all the other constituencies in the State pending the receipt of a comprehensive report from its Field Officials and Monitors. INEC said the suspension does not affect the constituencies where the exercise has been completed and the results declared by the Returning Officers.
But on Tuesday March 29th 2016,INEC Released Five more State Constituencies and 4 Federal House of Representatives elections without releasing any single Senatorial Results despite the fact that results from Rivers West Senatorial District had been Collated and declared in various Units,Wards and Local Government Areas before the Suspension of further action on the results by INEC.
Is the INEC led by Prof Mahmud Yakubu above the Law that Orders made since December 9 2015 by Justices of the Court of Appeal will be disobeyed with impunity or is the interest of the commission greater than that of Rivers People?
Only Time will Tell
