Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has stated that the Commission will not reverse its decision to upload the results of the 2023 general elections on its portal in order to provide Nigerians with a real-time view of the results as they are collated.
He also stated that the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) is here to stay and that no incident form will be available on election day.
Professor Yakubu reiterated INEC’s position at the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room’s National Stakeholders Forum on the 2023 general elections.
We’re loyal only to Nigerians – INEC
INEC’s loyalty, he claims, is to Nigerians and not to anyone else.
Electoral expenses
He also stated that the Commission is collaborating with necessary institutions in the country to track political spending during the campaign period and on election day.
According to him, INEC will publish a summary of the legal provisions for election expenses on Thursday so that Nigerians can monitor the situation.
Professor Yakubu, on the other hand, reiterated INEC’s concern about the country’s security situation.
He added that recent attacks on political parties during campaigns, as well as on INEC facilities in Ogun and other states, have exacerbated the situation.
CVR
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to restart CVR till 90 days before the 2023 general elections.
In a ruling issued on Tuesday, Justice Inyang Ekwo also urged INEC to guarantee that eligible Nigerians are not denied the right to vote in the upcoming election.
Mr Ekwo maintained that it was the election umpire’s constitutional role to establish proper preparations for the process in accordance with Nigerian laws.
“The case of the plaintiffs succeeds on merit,” the judge declared.
Anajat Salmat and three others had sued INEC as the sole defendant in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1343/2022.
In the originating summons filed before the court, the plaintiffs argued that INEC could not stop the CVR contrary to the stipulated provisions of the constitution.
They urged the court to order the electoral umpire to resume the exercise in accordance with the law of the country.
