Skip to main content

INEC OFFICIAL EXPLODES: NOBODY BARRED US FROM MANUAL ACCREDITATION IN GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION

INEC inaugurates committee on management of election petitions ...
… Reveals Why APC Agents Refuse To Sign Result Sheets

A staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Dominic Okenna has told the Akwa Ibom State Governorship Elections Petitions tribunal in Abuja that there was no official circular that barred the use of manual accreditation by electoral officers during the last governorship elections in the State.

Dominic Okenna, who said he served as the Electoral officer for Onna Local Government Area, said that INEC had a procedure which involves sending information by circulars from Abuja through the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, who in turn subsequently passes the circular to all concerned official.

Okenna dimissed the alleged directive that barred the use of manual accreditation in the April 11, 2015 elections, saying “we never received the press statement purportedly sent from INEC Abuja on the use of card readers,” adding that the statement was merely a press statement, and not an official circular.

The INEC official, who was appearing before the Justice Sadiq Umar-Chaired three man panel, faulted an earlier testimony by one of the petitioner’s witnesses Bishop Samuel Akpan who claimed election never took place in the area.

He said he was responsible for distribution of materials and contrary to the testimony of Bishop Samuel Akpan and Patrick Ekpotu, the materials were distributed in the presence of all parties.

The witness who works as Head of Logistics at INEC intimated the tribunal that Electoral officers bring results to the head office of INEC accompanied by the Local Government Collation officers and the results are presented in full view of everyone present.

He also said that the fact that the results were not signed by some agents, by INEC regulations, does not invalidate the process and the result and does not stop INEC from going ahead to announce results.
He explained that it is always the trend by most agents to refuse signing the documents, once their party had lost in the poll.

During cross examination, he admits that in line with his responsibility, he visited almost all the 131 polling units in Onna and also witnessed the collation of results at the Local Government collation center.

The INEC official who said he has been in the services of the electoral umpire for over 20 years revealed some challenges posed by the card reader to include slow capturing of voters’ biometrics and the short lifespan of batteries which ran out rather too quickly in the course of usage despite being fully energized the previous day.

Okenna also said that there were instances the card readers didn't work at all and that he mandated two trained staff to handle trouble shooting situations.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

FEDERAL ALLOCATION TO THE TWENTY FIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN DELTA STATE IN 2023

Below Is The Federal Allocation To The Twenty five Local Government Areas in Delta State In 2023: Aniocha North:  ₦2,631,989,064.8 Aniocha South:  ₦2,847,788,192.94 Bomadi:               ₦2,491,779,057.87 Burutu:                 ₦3,367,885,422.51 Ethiope East:      ₦3,178,376,209.24 Ethiope West:     ₦3,226,505,207.54 Ika North East:   ₦3,279,681,589.37 Ika South:            ₦3,117,284,050.15 Isoko North:        ₦2,968,741,529.30 Isoko South:       ₦3,372,633,698.8 Ndokwa East:     ₦2,766,813,948.49 Ndokwa West:   ₦3,108,983,376.16 Okpe:                    ₦2,750,960,811.06 Oshimili North:  ₦2,683,889,807 Oshimili South: ₦2,890,887,684.18 Patani:                 ...

OBOREVWORI: How Not To Glorify A 'One Chance' Governor - By Zik Gbemre

It is appalling how, in desperation to sustain its thieving hegemony over the Delta State Government since 1999, the Delta PDP had the audacity to impose the weakest, most uninformed contender, a local champion, as Governor over a state replete with accomplished men and women of immense capacity. Given this unenviable privilege, one would have expected the fortunate placeholder governor, Sheriff Oborevwori—whose only election campaign manifesto was pledging to improve on the failed leadership of Ifeanyi Okowa, his predecessor—to engage creative minds and individuals of proven integrity to assist him in making a difference. Rather than doing the needful, Oborevwori has worsened matters by electing to engage the same spent leaders, deadwood, and gluttons that have gained prominence in running the state down over successive administrations. The result has been a government of mediocre officeholders competing to run the state for their pockets at the detriment of the populace, under a gove...

MOMENT OF HONOUR: Ughelli Agog As Ovie Omo-Agege Arrives Home

It was a day of honour for Obarisi Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, CFR, the immediate past Deputy President of the Senate, and Delta State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, as the people of Delta State came together from all ethnic nationalities to collectively celebrate and honour him. The grand reception in the ancient city of Ughelli was historic, marking the recognition of a distinguished Deltan who has brought great honour to the state and its people. Obarisi, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege arrived Osubi Airport flanked by Distinguished Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, Hon. Eric Oharisi and Hon. Evance Iwhurie. The streets of Ughelli came alive with jubilation as the former Deputy Senate President and his entourage drove into town. It was a historic moment, characterized by the beating of drums, vibrant displays of cultural pride, and an overwhelming sense of camaraderie among the people. The air filled with chants of joy, and the atmosphere electric with excitement—all painting a ...