[JUST IN] 2023: INEC Speaks On Having ‘Preferred Presidential Candidate’

INEC Speaks On Having ‘Preferred Presidential Candidate’.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has distanced itself from the usual norm of having a preferred candidate in the buildup ahead of the 2023 general election.

Yakubu made this disclosure on Wednesday, August 3rd, in Abuja at the 4th Abubakar Momoh memorial lecture.

EDITOR’S PICK

• JUST IN: 5 Tertiary Institutions Suspend Strike, Set To Resume Academic Activities

• JUST IN: Tears As 16 Passengers Killed, 4 Injured In Lagos Auto Crash

• BREAKING: ASUU Takes Fresh Decision On Strike At NEC Meeting In Abuja

The nation’s electoral umpire maintained it has no special candidates Meanwhile, INEC boss, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, maintained the commission would not work in favour of or against any candidate noting the votes of the people would count.

According to Yakubu, Nigerians should be assured that only their votes will determine the outcome of the 2023 general elections and future polls in the country, as INEC would apply the laws without fear or favour to ensure free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent elections.

Yakubu, represented by the Chairman board of TEI, Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, also stressed the need for stakeholders, especially political parties to note the major features introduced in the new Electoral Act, 2022 and the possible implications of these changes on the upcoming elections.

The INEC boss said that these changes include the conduct of early party primaries by parties, technological changes in the electoral process, the commission’s power to review the decision of the returning officer and over-voting based on the number of accredited voters.

Yakubu said: “These new initiatives as contained in the law served as the bedrock for the reviewed regulations and guidelines for the conduct of elections 2022 released by the commission on May 24, 2022. This in turn dictated the review of the manual for election officials, 2022.

“Let me draw your attention to the fact that the use of electronic devices such as the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS), INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED), INEC Results Viewing Portal (IRev) and other technological devices, are now legally allowed in the accreditation process for voters, collation of results and in the general conduct of elections.

“Please be assured that these innovations are intended to deepen the electoral process in our country and their optimal performance in the just concluded gubernatorial election in Ekiti and Osun states is an eloquent testimony to their electoral value.

 

“We shall only do more to consolidate their deployment in our election. Once again, I wish to assure you that INEC has no preferred party or candidate. We shall only ensure that all valid votes count and the winners are decided solely by the voters.”

FURTHER READING

• Insecurity: ‘Soldiers Can’t Save You From Bandits, Defend Yourselves Like Americans’— Masari To Nigerians

• JUST IN: Shehu Sani Tells Buhari Govt What To Do As ISWAP Releases Threatening Video

• [JUST IN] 2023: Peter Obi Speaks On What He Would Do About IPOB Agitation If Elected President

The INEC chairman described the late Abubakar as an advocate of free, fair, credible and participatory electoral system which he (Abubakar) fought for through research, capacity building for the staff of the commission, and vigorous voter education activities.

Click to watch our video of the week:

---

Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:

Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.

Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.

Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611