THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the weekend governorship election conducted in Ekiti state was free, fair and transparent.
The electoral body gave the verdict on Wednesday in a communique issued at the end of meeting between its chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu and Resident Electoral Commissioners, (REC) across the country.
The main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) whose candidate, Professor Olusola Kolapo lost the election to the All Progressives Congress candidate and governor-elect, Dr Kayode Fayemi has vowed to challenge the results in court. It alleged manipulation of the result in favour of the APC candidate.
But INEC in a statement issued last night and signed by its National Commissioner and Member, Information & Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna adjudged the exercise as satisfactory.
While it expressed concern over votes buying, it restated its commitment and determination to continue to work with all stakeholders, especially the security agencies, to stem the ugly trend.
The communique also reviewed the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration, (CVR) with a commitment to extend the registration days to accommodate weekend.
While it insisted on suspension of the exercise on August 17, it however reviewed the registration period between 9 am and 5 pm instead of 9am-3pm as obtains presently.
The statement further read in part:”The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) today held its regular meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) from all the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
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“The Commission reviewed the conduct of the July 14 Governorship Election in Ekiti State and preparations for the September 22, 2018 Osun Governorship Election.
It noted the satisfactory conduct of the Ekiti Governorship election as attested to by both domestic and international Observers, the Media and other Stakeholders.
The meeting also noted with deep concern, the rising phenomenon of vote buying during elections and restated its commitment and determination to continue to work with all stakeholders, especially the security agencies, to stem the ugly trend.
“On the upcoming Osun Governorship Election, the meeting unanimously agreed to further improve on the successes recorded in the Ekiti Governorship Election
“The meeting also reviewed the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. Against the backdrop of the decision to suspend the exercise from 17th August 2018 until after the 2019 general elections, it was resolved that starting from Wednesday 1st of August 2018:
“i. the CVR exercise will take place between 9 am and 5 pm
(instead of 9am-3pm as obtains presently);
ii. there will also be Registration on Saturdays and Sundays
as well as public holidays (if any) within the period;
iii. the exercise will be suspended at 5 pm on Friday 17th
August until after the 2019 General Elections;
“The Commission assures Nigerians of its commitment to ensuring free, fair and credible elections in 2019.”
