2023: One Political Party Serves INEC About 70 Court Cases-Yakubu Mahmood
LAGOS NOVEMBER 8TH (NEWSRANGERS)-Chairman of Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu has disclosed that only two weeks ago, one political party served about 70 Court processes on the Commission in one day seeking to compel it to accept the nomination or substitution of its candidates long after the deadline provided in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election had elapsed.
Mahmood who did not disclose the name of the political party equally explained that INEC has been joined in about 600 cases relating to the conduct of recent primaries and nomination of candidates by political parties for the 2023 General Election.
Mahmood who made the disclosure in a remark at the capacity building workshop for Justices and Judges on electoral matter, held at the National judicial Institute, Abuja yesterday said the implication is that the Commission is still dealing with issues of nomination of candidates thereby eating into vital time for preparation of and procurement of sensitive materials.
“We have studied the judgements of the Tribunals arising from both the 2019 General Election, the off-cycle Governorship elections and the bye-elections conducted so far. We identified areas where we need to do more to reduce litigations. As a result, we are witnessing increasingly less Court cases challenging the conduct of elections by the Commission. However, cases arising from the conduct of primaries for the nomination of candidates by political parties is on the increase.
“I wish to reassure the judiciary that the Commission will continue to abide by Court orders. However, strict adherence to stare decision is critical for us as an Election Management Body. A situation where a trial Court sought to vary the judgement of the Supreme Court by ordering the Commission to issue a Certificate of Return in favour of a candidate whose emergence during the party’s primary election has been nullified by the apex Court (and affirmed by the same Court following an application for clarification) put the Commission in a difficult situation. The matter is currently being litigated again, possibly all the way back to the Supreme Court, thereby wasting the precious time of the Courts which are already inundated by even the most improbable cases by litigation-happy individuals and parties.
“Before I conclude my remarks, may I acknowledge the support of all our development partners in supporting this capacity-building workshop in particular and deepening the democratic processes in Nigeria.
“My Lord the Chief Justice of Nigeria, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I wish you successful deliberations and God’s infinite wisdom and blessings. The job of the politician is intensely partisan. Our work (the judiciary and INEC) requires absolute neutrality. We will not disappoint Nigerians,” he assured.
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Posted by News Rangers
on Nov 8 2022. Filed under National.
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