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POSN tells INEC to halt ongoing collation of presidential election results in compliance with provisions of Electoral Act
Peter Obi Support Network (POSN), has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stop the collation of results and comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act which stipulates that results must be uploaded and transmitted to IRev.
POSN in a statement signed by Alhaji Ismaila Savu of the groups Directorate of Information condemned the electoral body for violating its own laws on transmitting of results.
The group stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission has violated all the stipulated guidelines on transmission of results despite assurances to the public.
The statement reads, “Section 60 of the Electoral Act provides that the Presiding officer shall, after counting the votes at the polling unit, enter the votes scored by each candidate in a form to be prescribed by the Commission as the case maybe.
“Section 60(5) of the Electoral Act provides that the Presiding Officer shall transfer the results including total number of accredited voters and the results of the ballot in a manner as prescribed by the Commission.
“Independent National Electoral Commission thereafter pursuant to Section 148 of the Electoral Act, 2022, the Commission may, subject to the provision of this Act, issue regulations, guidelines, or manuals for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of this Act and for its determination.
“This regulation and guidelines cover elections and arrangement for their conduct, accreditation and voting procedure at elections, and collation of election results.
“In article 38 of the Electoral guidelines – Article 38 provides that electronic transmission of results and upload of results to IReV the commission stated that, On completion of all the polling unit voting and results procedures, the presiding officer shall:
“(i) electronically transmit or transfer the result of the polling unit, direct to the collation system as prescribed by the Commission.
(ii) Use the BVAS to upload a scanned copy of the EC8A to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) as prescribed by the Commission
(iii) Take the BVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System) and the original copy of each of the forms in tamper evident envelop to the registration Area/Ward Collation Office, in the company of Security Agents.
“The Polling Agents may accompany the Presiding Officer to the RA/Ward Collation Centre.”
“The INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) is a platform created by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria to provide real-time transmission of election results from polling units to the central collation centre. It was designed to enhance the transparency of the electoral process and reduce the incidence of vote rigging and election manipulation.
“The IReV platform allows voters and other interested parties to monitor the electoral process and view the results of ongoing elections in real-time.
“The portal provides pictures of the election results from each polling unit, including the number of votes cast for each candidate and the percentage of total votes cast.
“The Presidential Election of 2023 was conducted on the 25th day of February 2023. Most of the election spilled to the early hours of the 26th day of February 2023.
“During the collation of the results, INEC Polling agents refused, failed and neglected to upload scanned copies of the EC8A to the IReV therefore did not electronically transmit the result of the polling unit to the collection system.
“The polling officials mentioned several factors that stopped or inhibited the upload and transmission such as (1) wrong password, (2) No Password (3) No Network (4) Device Low battery (5) Presidential IReV not working.
When approached, INEC through its spokesperson Barr Okoye insisted it was a mere glitch and that the IRev will be back in no time.
“To out greatest chagrin, the Chairman of INEC began to collate the results and start receiving results from the state returning officers without these results being transmitted or uploaded in the IReV.
“This is a violation of the extant laws that require all results to be uploaded and transmitted to IReV.
“We therefore request that the Commission should immediately halt the ongoing return exercise and announcement of results until these results are uploaded and transmitted to IRev.”
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has paid glowing tribute to Chief Patrick Adaba, the former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, and Dr Tom Adaba the pioneer Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), who both passed on few weeks ago.
During separate condolence visits to their families in Abuja, Governor Ododo acknowledged their outstanding legacy of public service and their significant contributions to the development of Kogi State and Nigeria at large.
At the residence of the late Chief Patrick Adaba, Governor Ododo acknowledged the late Chief Patrick Adaba for his selfless service to the government and people of Kogi State whom he served as Deputy Governor between 1999 and 2003.
Similarly, while visiting the home of the late Dr. Tom Adaba, Governor Ododo described him as a trailblazer whose pioneering role in Nigeria’s broadcasting industry has inspired generations of media practitioners within and outside Nigeria.
He praised the Adaba family for raising two exceptional children whose impact and service to the nation remain invaluable and indelible.
Governor Ododo emphasized that Kogi State and Nigeria will deeply miss the Adaba brothers, given their immense contributions to public service and national development.
Former Senator who represented Plateau North in the National Assembly Sen. Istifanus Gyang has felicitates with former Governor Dr. Jonah David Jang, who turned 81 years.
The senator Gyang in his birthday message racalled Jang’s remarkable life, legacy, and dedication to serving Nigeria and humanity.
Gyang describing Jang as a father and elder statesman and expressed gratitude to God for the former governor’s longevity, good health, and immense service.
He noted that Jang’s life is a testament to the power of living a purpose-driven life, and his legacy continues to inspire future generations.
Senator Gyang also noted Jang’s remarkable career, which has been marked by numerous opportunities to serve Plateau State and Nigeria.
He prayed for Jang to remain strong, healthy, and finish well, leaving an enduring legacy.
The Nigerian Senate in a bid to enhance the country’s electoral process passed the Early Voting Bill for second reading.
The Bill which was sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yaradua, representing Katsina Central Senatorial District aims to address the continuous disenfranchisement of eligible voters who are unable to cast their ballots on Election Day due to their duties and others deemed eligible by the Commission to vote as early voters
The bill’s passage is a response to the alarming number of disenfranchised voters in the 2023 General Election, which includes:
– Over 1 million Ad-hoc staff
– 310,973 police personnel
– 93,495 Military and Department of State Service (DSS) Personnel
– 51,000 Personnel from the National Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC)
– 21,000 from the Federal Road Safety Corps
– 11,336 from the Nigeria Correctional Service
– 9,447 from the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency
– 350 Personnel from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
In addition, 144,800 Observers deployed by 196 national and domestic organisations were also unable to vote.
Key Provisions of the Bill:
– *Eligibility and Registration:* Eligible individuals, including security personnel, electoral officials, and those deemed eligible by the commission, must apply 30 days before the early voting date.
– *Implementation and Voting Procedure:* A designated early voting date will be set, not more than 7 days before the general election, and voting centers will be established by the Electoral Commission.
The bill’s passage is a significant step towards aligning Nigeria’s electoral system with international best practices and ensuring that all eligible adult citizens have the opportunity to perform their civic rights. Several African countries, including South Africa, Namibia, Ghana, and Senegal, have successfully implemented early voting, resulting in higher voter turnout rates.
By adopting early voting, Nigeria can establish a more inclusive, efficient, and secure electoral process that better serves the interests of all Nigerians.
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