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INEC gives update on sup polls, says it’ll conclude all elections before April 29

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INEC explains why it frowned at Cross River REC's resignation

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) gave an update of supplementary elections slated to take place in 18 states on Saturday (today) March 23.

INEC’s National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, gave the update at a news conference in Abuja.

Speaking on court orders issued to the commission on the conduct of some of the elections, Okoye said that while INEC keeps complying with all court orders in defence of the rule of law, it has also taken necessary and immediate steps to vacate the order.

On Bauchi governorship election result he said, “It should, however, be noted that the litigation and consequential order only affect the collation of results for the governorship election in Tafawa Balewa LGA.

“Consequently, the supplementary election will proceed as scheduled on Saturday, March 23, in the other 15 LGAs of Bauchi State as well as the Kirfi State Constituency Supplementary election in Kirfi LGA.”

On the timeline for conclusion of all elections, Okoye said, “The truth of the matter is that this process has a constitutional window. We must complete the processes related to this governorship election and this whole election before the April 29, 2019.

“Anything outside that will fall out of the constitution order and will become a Constitutional crisis. So, the people of Bauchi must know who their governor is on or before April 29.

“Some of you are already aware that the commission has conducted election in 29 states and returns have been made in 22 of those states.

“While the election was suspended in Rivers, it was declared inconclusive in six states; Bauchi, Adamawa, Benue, Plateau, Sokoto and Kano.

“Similarly, the Adamawa State High court issued an injunction restraining the commission from proceeding with the supplementary election following the application by the Movement for the Restoration and Defence of Democracy (MRDD), a registered political party which did not take part in the main election.

“While the commission has also complied with the order, it has equally taken steps to vacate it and dismiss the action.

“Notwithstanding the legal action over the Supplementary Governorship election, elections will hold in Nassarawo/Binyeri State Constituency in Mayo –Belwa LGA.

“This is where the election has to be countermanded following the death of a candidate before the poll, as well as the supplementary State Constituency election and Uba/Gaya State Constituency in Hong LGA.”

While he asked all stakeholders to ask voters to come out and cast their votes in places elections will be taking place, he said INEC has been assured by security agencies of adequate security during the exercise.

“Arising from the meeting held on the March 19, between INEC and security agencies, the later has given assurance of adequate security, professional conduct and unimpeded access to all levels of the election, he said.

Noting that INEC situation room will be activated on Saturday, March 23, he said all observers and the media accredited for 2019 general elections were free to observe the elections.

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On issuing of Certificates of Return to governors-elect, he said it would be presented by supervising National Commissioners of the respective states to be assisted by state Resident Electoral Commissioners between Wednesday March 27 and March 29.

“The precise date for the presentation in each state shall be made known by the respective resident electoral commissioner after consultation with their supervising national commissioners.

“For the State Houses of Assembly, the date of presentation of Certificates of Return to the respective winners will be announced in due course.’’

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