. . . As INEC accredits 58 observer groups, 45 media organizations, deploys 7 RECs, 3 National Commissioners

By TINA TIMOTHY

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says that a total of 473 candidates sponsored by 14 political parties have been cleared to contest in the 2022 Saturday’s council elections holding in the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who disclosed this in Abuja, Tuesday, at a stakeholders meeting where the candidates signed a peace pact in commitment to peaceful conduct before, during and after the elections, also said that INEC accredited 58 observer groups deploying 2, 242 field observers; and 45 media organizations deploying 340 journalists to cover the election.

Of the 473 candidates, 55 and the corresponding number are running for the chairmanship and Vice Chairmanship positions of the six area councils while the rest 363 candidates would slug it out for the 62 councillorship position.

“After the period for substitution and withdrawal of candidates as provided by law, the Commission has published the final list of 473 candidates sponsored by 14 political parties for the elections.

“In all, 110 candidates (Chair and Vice Chair) are vying for the leadership of the six Area Councils while 363 candidates are competing for 62 councillorship positions.

“I would like to assure all stakeholders that the Commission will protect the transparency and integrity of the process. In line with this commitment, we have accredited 58 observer groups (53 domestic and 5 foreign) that are deploying a total of 2,242 field observers.

“We have similarly accredited 45 media organisations deploying 340 journalists to cover the election. We will work with the security agencies to ensure that observers and the media are granted unimpeded access to voting and collation locations. I call upon the media and observers to operate within the context of the code of conduct for election observation and media coverage.

However, Yakubu told the meeting during and after the election; that there were eight cases in court, challenging the nomination or educational qualification of candidates; some of which were already before the Supreme Court.

In its determination to ensure a free and fair exercise, Yakubu said that six Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) would be deployed to support the REC for the FCT, and another three National Commissioners to supervise the conduct of the election.

He said that INEC would monitor its staff closely during the polls, to ensure that they strictly abide by the rules and requested the political parties to do same.

“All parties, candidates and their supporters should do the same. No one will benefit from the disruption of the process or other acts of bad behaviour. Let the voters in the FCT choose their leaders in a free, fair and peaceful contest,” the INEC Chairman charged

He noted that timetable and schedule of activities for the FCT elections was released by the Commission about a year ago, in March 2021, adding that the Commission has implemented all the activities on schedule, leaving only the last day of campaign by political parties on Thursday, 10th February, 2022 and Election Day, Saturday, 12th February, 2022.

He said that INEC has reviewed the performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the recent Anambra State Governorship election, stressing that lessons learnt from that election have been considered in planning for the Area Council elections, to enhance the technology for voter accreditation,

“The BVAS have been configured and ready to deploy for the election. We have also made adequate arrangements for technical support and transportation to speedily respond in the unlikely event of glitches on Election Day.

“Similarly, election results will be uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing portal (IReV) in real-time when voting ends and votes are counted at polling units on Election Day,” Yakubu further assured.

Yakubu also expressed satisfaction with the behavior of parties, their candidates as well as all stakeholders and commended them for their “advocacy for peaceful elections”

But he warned that voter inducement in all forms, including vote-buying at polling units, was a violation of the law, adding that the ban on the use of mobile phones and other photographic devices in the voting cubicles was still in force.

He said that the FCT was a shining example of grassroots democracy in Nigeria. “In terms of grassroots democracy, FCT is a leading light in Nigeria with its regular and well-conducted Area Council elections.

“Each political party has the chance of winning an election in the FCT. Let the 2022 Area Council election be the beacon for a peaceful and credible 2023 General Election,” Yakubu appealed.

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