Politics

LG Poll: Come Out Clean on BVAS, APC Tells OYSIEC

By Web News 388

By Oluwakayode Banjo

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state has threatened to withdraw all its candidates from the forthcoming local government council election if the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) failed to guarantee the usage of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for the poll.

Most of the registered political parties in the country have indicated their readiness to participate in the election slated for April 27 with OYSIEC assuring the public that it would be fair in its conduct against the background of insinuation that the electoral body was set up to do the bidding of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement issued at the weekend and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC expressed concerns over what it described as a “game of deceit being played by OYSIEC over the need to deploy BVAS machines for the April and also show the whole world that it was not out to do the bidding of the ruling PDP as it happened the last time when candidates of other parties were denied their earned victory, particularly in Ido and Ibarapa East local government councils.

“We have watched with dismay the lip service being paid, by OYSIEC, to the issue of BVAS required for the smooth conduct of the poll. The Commission is apparently under pressure to jettison the usage of BVAS because the ruling PDP is averse to it even as the powers-that-be in the state are prepared to compromise the April poll in their bid to ensure all the candidates of the PDP win at all cost.

“It is a height of insincerity on the part of OYSIEC to hide the status of any request made to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the release of the machines for the planned poll even as we have been reliably informed that INEC does not have any reason to turn down such request if properly and genuinely made. Apart from the fact that the devices are owned by Nigerians, INEC is committed to the conduct of credible elections and the Commission is ever ready to assist the cause within and outside Nigeria.

“Oyo APC took a bold decision to field candidates in this election basically for two reasons; to deepen our democracy at the grassroots level and also to rescue the third tier of government which has been rendered useless by the current PDP administration. Consequently, that PDP is paranoid today is understandable and we use this medium to restate our commitment to the cause of constitutional democracy and good governance. However, we are concerned about the palpable desperation in the camp of the ruling party in their bid to sustain the status quo which does not augur well for the masses.

“As a matter of fact, we have observed that the Chairman of OYSIEC might not be able to be fair to all parties as he is wont to do for obvious reasons. The fact that the PDP elements are averse to BVAS is responsible for the failure of OYSIEC to announce to the world that the machines would be used for the election. At this juncture, we are stating it categorically that Oyo APC would not be a party to any sham or charade and should the election body fail to guarantee the usage of BVAS for the April poll, they should count us out.” Sadare added.

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Politics

We’re working assiduously to improve Nigeria’s electoral process – Senator Alli

By Web News 414

By Oluwakayode Banjo

The joint committee of the 10th National Assembly on electoral matters is working assiduously to improve the nation’s electoral process.

This is contained in a statement by the senator representing Oyo South Federal Constituency for the All Progressives Congress, APC, Sharafadeen Alli, and signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Akeem Abas and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Ibadan.

Alli, the Chairman Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, disclosed this while featuring on a Channels Television programme “Sunrise Daily”.

He said that the last general election was better than previous elections, adding there have been significant improvements in the electoral process. 

The lawmaker commended the 9th National Assembly under the leadership of Senator Ahmed Lawan for passing the 2022 Electoral law which allowed the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, as a game changer.

He said the Electoral Act 2022 brought lots of improvements to the voting process and other legislations concerning the election.

“We will work assiduously to ensure improvement on the technology deployed for the electoral process and guidelines already in place,” he said.

On technology, he said that efforts would be made to ensure the BVAS machine stores data to prevent constant reconfiguration of the machine by INEC.

The lawmaker, who said that the electoral law does not mandate INEC to upload results on a portal, said they would mandate INEC to upload every result on the portal in the coming elections.

“We were in Lagos some days back for a retreat. By the 28th of this month, we are having another town hall meeting here in Abuja to ensure people bare their minds on the electoral laws”.

“We, in the 10th Senate will ensure laws are made to have positive impacts on the electoral process and our people. We want to ensure that by next year, we will have made lots of improvements,” he said.

Alli said that they would abridge the time for filing and concluding petitions, adding that pre-election matters must be concluded before elections, while election matters are concluded before swearing-in.

The lawmaker said that the majority of Nigerians and INEC itself want the commission unbundled in terms of functions, while every matter concerning the electoral process would be looked into to allow for more transparency in our electoral system.

He agreed that there were no perfect elections anywhere in the world, saying the electoral process in Nigeria was getting better on a daily basis.

“Perfection is relative. We still have issues with elections across the world. If we can improve the electoral process to get 90 per cent perfection, then we are good for it,” he said.

Alli, who was part of the team that monitored the just concluded Liberian presidential election, described it as well-organised, transparent and fair.

The lawmaker lauded the patriotism displayed by Liberians during the election, urging Nigerians to emulate such an attitude as they look forward to a greater country.

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Politics

INEC Expresses Satisfaction with BVAS Ahead of November Polls

By Web News 568

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed satisfaction with the performance of the bimodal voter accreditation system BVAS ahead of the November 11 governorship election in Imo state.

The INEC National Commissioner in charge of South East, Kenneth Ukeagu stated this while speaking with newsmen after monitoring the mock accreditation exercise held in select polling units across the state.

He explained that the ease at which the eligible voters who came out for the exercise were accredited was a clear indication that the people of Imo state would witness seamless voting during the poll.

Similarly, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof Sylvia Agu said she was impressed with the exercise noting that it took seconds for the BVAS to accredit the prospective voters..

Kogi

INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu says that the Commission will deploy Eight Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS fo easy Accreditation at Ganaja village polling unit in Ajaokuta area of Kogi State

Professor Yakubu stated this in Lokoja, Kogi State when he visited the area to assess the progress of the Mock Accreditation exercise taking place in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa States ahead of the November 11th Governorship elections.

He said the reason for deploying the eight machines was that Ganaja polling unit was the largest polling unit and most densely populated in Nigeria with 13,000 registered voters.

He explained that after the governorship election, the Commission would redistribute the voters to other approximate locations.

Professor Yakubu who said one of the challenges facing the location was flooding, pointed out that an alternative arrangement had been made incase there was flood.

He said they were taking proactive measures to ensure that voters had a pleasant voting experience on election day.

Professor Yakubu said to reduce crowd on Election day at Ganaja polling unit with over 11,000 voters, the Commission set up several desks with many voting locations on election day.

The INEC electoral officer, Datchan Manchan said they had all the non sensitive materials for the election and that preparations are going on well ahead of the Governorship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is conducting a mock accreditation in the three States where the Governorship elections will take place on November 11th, 2023.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu is on his way to Lokoja to monitor the progress of the exercise.

Earlier, Professor Yakubu made a brief stop at INEC Kotonkarfe Local Government Office.

The Electoral Officer, Alhaji Hassan Musa told the INEC Chairman that they had received all the non sensitive materials for the election.

He also said they were collaborating with the security agencies to ensure a hitch free exercise and therefore solicited for more security personnel on the election day.

INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu promised the staff that all they needed would be provided but advised them to be of good behaviour on November 11th.

Professor Yakubu later inspected the materials and also mandated the Electoral Officer to ensure that polls are opened b 8AM on Election day.

Ogochukwu Okoronkwo and Chinazo Ilechuckwu; Editing by Oluwaseyi Ajibadeand Annabel Nwachukwu

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Politics

Tegbe Lauds Turnout of Voters

By Web News 485

By Iyabo Adebisi

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Chief Joseph Tegbe, has lauded the peaceful conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly elections in Ibadan and its environs.

He gave the commendation while speaking with newsmen shortly after casting his vote at Lanioka Ward 5, Unit 7, in Ibadan South East Local Government Area. 

He commended the electorate for turning out in large numbers to exercise their franchise and INEC for making the materials available on time. 

This, he said, was a signal that the exercise would be free and fair. 

“I had no hitches with the BVAS. INEC has done so well so far. For those who have yet to vote, I want to encourage them to go out and perform their civic responsibilities,” Tegbe said.

He appealed to INEC to build on its preparations for this election in order to record more successes in the March 11 governorship and House of Assembly polls in the state.

Politics

Non-Functioning BVAS: Room for Improvement- Senator Amosun

By Web News 381

By Wale Oluokun

The former governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun says there is room for improvements in the voting system.

The former governor said this while speaking shortly after voting at his Ita- Gbangba, Itoko Abeokuta South Ward 6 unit 8 booth a few minutes to twelve noon and described the exercise as peaceful.

Senator Amosun described the challenges of the non-functioning BVAS at his polling unit as not being enough to give the overall assessment of the election.

The former governor, who voted alongside his wife Olufunso, was at the polling booth for about three hours before and after voting, noting that he sacrificed the time to encourage the people to vote after the initial problem of non-functioning BVAS.

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Politics

Adeleke, Owoeye commend Smooth Voting Exercise

By Web News 390 Post a comment

By Funmi Adekoya

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the peaceful conduct of the election just as the INEC officials arrived at the polling units early. 

Governor Adeleke who gave the commendation while addressing Journalists also lauded the use of the Bio-modal Verification Accreditation System (BVAS) for the exercise, which he said was swift and working well.

The Governor arrived at his polling unit at Ward 2 Unit 009, Abogunde /Sagba, in Ede North Local Government area at exactly 8:42 a.m. with his family and did his accreditation and also voted at 8:44 a.m. 

He advised the voters to follow the rules and regulations guiding the electoral process and eschew violence.

Also, the Speaker Osun State House of Assembly, Mr Timothy Owoeye was at his polling unit 006, ward 10 in Ilesa East Local Government to cast his vote with a call to Nigerians to conduct themselves peacefully.

Radio Nigeria reports that the election in some parts of the state, including Osogbo, Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore, Olorunda, Ejigbo Local Government areas is going smoothly without any form of distraction.

However, Radio Nigeria observed that motorists who are not on official duty flouted the order of IGP while some food vendors were doing their business with some shops open.

Politics

OBJ Votes, Give Kudos to INEC for BVAS

By Web News 641

By Wale Oluokun

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo also joined other Nigerians to discharge his civic responsibility of voting.

The former president, who arrived at his voting booth at Abeokuta North, ward 11 Unit 20 at 10.30 am cast his vote around 10.43 am.

Speaking shortly after voting, Chief Obasanjo said the new technology of BVAS which revealed his picture for accreditation was a welcome development.

He noted that any effort to make the country’s electoral process transparent and acceptable should be appreciated.

Chief Obasanjo was accompanied to the polling booth by the former Ondo state military governor, General Ekundayo Opaleye among others.

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Politics

INEC Cautions Citizens against Social Media Abuse

By Web News 396

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has appealed to the citizens, especially social media users, to exercise restraint on what they post on election days.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu made the appeal in Abuja while briefing newsmen on how far the Commission had gone in the preparation for the 2023 general election.

Professor Yakubu, who promised that the Commission would be open to Nigerians, explained that issues regarding elections especially results were too sensitive to be posted on social media without hearing it first from the Commission.

The INEC Chairman said the Commission had procured, organised and delivered materials to the States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory for deployment.

According to him, the Commission had concluded arrangements with the transport unions for the final movements of personnel and materials to the polling units and the unions had equally assured the Commission of their readiness to deliver even to the riverine areas.

He also said that about nine thousand local and foreign journalists had been accredited to cover the general election.

Professor Yakubu said that the staff to be deployed for the elections had been trained.

The INEC Chairman announced that all the technologies to be used for the elections had been tested, especially the BVAS and IREV Portal.

He urged eligible voters to confirm their polling units before the election days.

Ogochukwu Okoronkwo/Adetutu Adetule

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Politics

BVAS Mock Accreditation Takes Place February 4

By Web News 450

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says a mock accreditation exercise would be held on Saturday, February 4, 2023 in 436 polling units nationwide to test the functionality of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) ahead of the general election.


INEC’s National Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu made this known at a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) held at the national headquarters of the commission, with the purpose of putting finishing touches to the preparations for the 2023 general election.


He said 12 polling units had been designated in each state of the federation and four in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the equality of the country’s 109 Senatorial Districts for the exercise.

Yakubu noted that a comprehensive list of the polling units, including their names and PU Code numbers, as well as their distribution by State, Senatorial District, Local Government and Registration Area (Ward) would be uploaded on the Commission’s website.


The chairman informed the RECs that movement of materials for the election to various locations nationwide was being concluded while training of officials would commence shortly and ongoing consultations with stakeholders would be intensified.


According to the INEC Chairman, the Commission is aware that there are a few issues to be addressed: “One of them is the ongoing collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs). The Commission is encouraged by the determination of registered voters nationwide to collect their PVCs and the actual level of collection so far.”

Yakubu stated further: “For instance, in Lagos State, which has the highest number of registered voters in the country, the Commission delivered 940,200 PVCs from the recent voter registration exercise (June 2021 to July 2022) for both new registrants and requests for transfer and replacement of cards.“As of Thursday 26th January 2023, 839,720 PVCs had been collected representing 89.3% of the total figure.

“This meeting with RECs will consider reports from other states of the Federation and the Commission will not hesitate to consider additional measures to ensure that all citizens have ample opportunity to collect their PVCs ahead of the general election.”Yakubu said: “As you are already aware, the Commission has taken delivery of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines for the election. We have also dutifully tested each machine in our offices nationwide to ensure its functionality.

“The next step is to conduct field tests across the country involving actual voters. For this reason, and in readiness for nationwide deployment, the Commission is conducting a mock accreditation of voters similar to what was done ahead of the recent Ekiti and Osun State Governorship elections.


”The chairman appealed to registered voters in the affected polling units to appear on the scheduled date with their PVCs for the mock exercise.


Yakubu pointed out, that, doing so would help to reassure the public of the robustness of the system and to strengthen our processes ahead of the general election.


He noted that civil society organisations, the media and the general public are welcome to observe the process.


The chairman said at the end of the exercise, the 436 BVAS machines involved would be reconfigured before they are deployed for the general election.

Culled / Titilayo Kupoliyi

Politics

Akeredolu Lauds INEC for Introduction of BVAS

By Web News 464

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.

Akeredolu noted that with the introduction of the new technology, it would be impossible for elections to be rigged again in Nigeria.

The governor, who stated that in his office, in Akure, when he received the outgoing Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr Rufus Akeju, said, “I am happy that it’s getting more and more difficult for anybody to influence INEC to rig the election. I have been involved in so many elections and I keep telling people an election is difficult to rig.

“It has become more difficult now, because whether we like it or not, INEC has improved on its work over time, and I want to congratulate you (Akeju) and the chairman for the good work you are doing.”

Akeredolu, who also lauded the retiring REC for there was no election that was inconclusive during his time in the state,  urged INEC to find a way to add more value to the PVC aside from its usage for voting, to make it more attractive for the people to collect.

Earlier, the retiring Resident Electoral Commissioner, Rufus Akeju thanked the Ondo State Government and residents of the state for their support and cooperation during his tenure.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Politics

We have alternatives for BVAS failure – INEC

By Web News 915 2

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it has plans should the Bimodal Voter Registration System fails during the forthcoming 2023 elections.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, who spoke with newsmen on Sunday noted that the Commission had trained technicians who would be on standby at polling units.

There had been speculations about the possibility of server failures in the course of the transmission of election results through BVAS, especially by some politicians.

Okoye noted that the electoral body had already made provision for the use of the BVAS in the over 176,000 polling units in the country. He, however, noted that INEC also made provision for spare BVAS machines in the case of any failure.

“For each electoral ward, we are going to have some spare BVAS to be deployed speedily if there is any issue or any challenge in any of our polling units. We have also trained technical support staff that can also intervene if there is any challenge with the BVAS.

“But if there is sustained malfunction of the BVAS up to the time of the closing of the poll, the Electoral Act demands that we should undermine voting in that particular polling unit and repeat voting within 24 hours,” Okoye stated.

He earlier described as “an impossibility”, the plan by any politician who was already allegedly harvesting PVCs to rig the elections.

According to INEC, BVAS technology that will be used for the accreditation and authentication of voters in 2023, will reject biometric data of persons who are not original owners of traded permanent voters cards.

“In terms of any politician bypassing the BVAS, I want to tell you that that will not happen, that is an impossibility,” Okoye said.

“Anybody who is purchasing a permanent voter card is just engaging in an exercise in futility. The only thing any person can do is to make sure the voter does not vote on election day but for you to come to the polling unit on election day with a voter’s card belonging to someone else, and you attempt to vote with it, that is an impossibility, the BVAS will not capture your fingerprint,” Okoye said.

INEC also noted that polling units near politicians’ homes had been removed.

He said, “We removed polling units from the palaces of traditional rulers, we removed polling units that are near the homes of politicians, we removed polling units that are in shrines, we also removed polling units from places we consider not conducive for electoral business.”

Okoye also admonished voters to support the commission’s efforts through shared responsibility and mandate protection to ensure free and fair 2023 elections.

Culled / Titilayo Kupoliyi

Politics

2023: INEC Reiterates Commitment to Use of BVAS

By Web News 520

The Osun State Resident Electoral Commission, REC, of the Independent National Electoral Commission,(INEC), Dr Mutiu Olaleke Agboke says the coming general election in Osun State will be conducted with the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS).

He stated this in Osogbo, the Osun State capital during a Stakeholders meeting organised by INEC to sensitize people on BVAS.

Speaking to political parties present at the Stakeholders meeting Dr Agboke said there would not be manipulation and fraud during the election adding that the commission is known for integrity and will maintain the oath of service taking to serve the commission in Osun.

“I implore Osun Residents to collect their PVC and vote for their candidate in the coming election, I assure you that your vote must count, my blood is hot, I don’t know anybody in this state and I will do everything humanly possible to ensured there won’t be manipulation of result in the State. I don’t listen to politicians,

The REC explained that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) new technology introduced by the commission for the purpose of accreditation and voting on election day would strictly adhere to the constitution mandates.

“Bvas work for Fingerprint Authentication and facial Recognition. This implies that Authentication is compulsory before anyone can go ahead to cast his or her vote. This technology is an improved device over the smart card reader technology that made use of single authentication.”

The Commissioner also said INEC was planning the migration of certain classes of voters in the state and urged the public to cooperate with them when the exercise commenced.

“Such voters are those who fall within densely populated polling Units. Such polling Units are going to be decongested to give room for sparsely populated new polling Units within the same location (clusters) so as to reduce violence on election day. We use this medium to appeal for understanding and cooperation when the commission starts the exercise.”

Speaking on attacks on INEC Facilities by suspected hoodlums in Ede, Dr Igboke said none of their PVC was affected during the attack and used the medium to call on the general public to come for their voter’s card adding that the commission has decided to make the collection of PVC seamless and easy for the electorate.

“From the 12th day of December 2022 to the 5th day of January 2022, PVC will be collected at the LGAs offices. While from 6th January to 15th January 2023 it will devolve to the Registration Areas (Wards). From 16th to 22nd January 2023, it will return back to the 30 Local”

Dr Agboke stressed that the commission would collaborate with Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) Security agencies and other critical Stakeholders to ensure that it conducts free, fair and credible elections in Osun. 

He admitted that though, there was tension in the state ahead of the 2023 general election saying the commission will do everything within its reach to ensure a rancor-free general election in the state.

He thereafter appealed to all stakeholders involved in the election process to play their part diligently so “we can have the elections that Nigerians yearn for, and which the world expects from us

Adenitan Akinola

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