INEC To Publish Final Figures Of Voters For Edo, Ondo Guber

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it is to publish the final figures of new voters in the Edo and Ondo States as well as their distribution by gender, age, occupation and disability before the end of this week.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu who stated this in Abuja during a meeting with leaders of Political Parties explained that the timetable for the collection of uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) from previous registrations and new registrants from the latest CVR will also be published.

The Chairman said that the Commission had fixed the damaged structures and repaired vehicles while other movable and immovable facilities had been serviced, refurbished or are being gradually replaced.

Professor Yakubu also announced that additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines have been delivered to Edo State for the training of election duty personnel as well as contingency for Election Day support.

‘’We have since published the final list of candidates but we are once again sharing the list with party leaders at this meeting in view of the recent Court Order mandating the Commission to replace the running mate of the candidate of the Labour Party. The amended list is already published on our website.’’

He urged the leaders of Political Parties to submit the list of their party agents as 14 political parties had uploaded the details of over 38 thousand polling agents and 819 collation agents for the Edo State Governorship election.

In a remark, the National Chairman, Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle said to restore confidence in the electoral system in the country, INEC should be empowered to conduct all Local Government elections.

Alhaji Dantalle emphasized that Politics is local as such citizens should be encouraged to actively participate in grassroots politics and contribute in building a better society.

He also called for the amendment of the Constitution and the Electoral Act to empower INEC to conduct all local government polls.

He commended the recent financial autonomy granted to the 774 Local Governments in Nigeria following the landmark judgement of the Supreme Court saying It would go a long way in transforming the nation and providing basic social amenities to citizens at the third tier of government.

Kayode Oyedare, Edited By Grace Namiji