INEC Releases Final List Of 473 Candidates For FCT Local Govt Election
LAGOS FEBRUARY 8TH (NEWSRANGERS)-Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released final list of 473 candidates of Federal capital Territory (FCT) Local Government election taking place on Saturday, 12th February 2022.
Making the pronouncement at the stakeholders meeting held at the Nigeria Airforce Conference Centre, Abuja on Tuesday, 8th February, 2022, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu disclosed that 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.
He disclosed that 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, adding that detailed analysis of the candidates by Area Councils, political parties, gender, age and educational qualifications had already been uploaded in the Commission website for public information.
According to him, “With only four days to the election, most of the major activities have been carried out. Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) was conducted over a period of six months. Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) have been printed and made available for collection. There are enough ad hoc staff engaged and trained for the election, while Non-sensitive materials have been deployed to the various Area Councils. Non-pharmaceutical materials have been procured to protect voters and personnel from COVID-19 in line with the Commission’s policy based on the protocols prescribed by health authorities. Voter education and publicity have been carried out. Transport arrangements have been made, including motorcycles for remote locations and boats for riverine areas. We shall deploy assistive devices such as Braille ballot guide and magnifying glasses for the physically challenged voters.
“We had several meetings with the security agencies in the area councils, the FCT and the national level on how to address potential threats to the election and secure the election. All non-sensitive materials have already been delivered to the Area Councils. On Thursday 10th February 2022 i.e. in the next two days, sensitive materials will be delivered by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to our FCT Office in Garki. As usual, party agents, observers and the media will be invited to inspect the materials before they are moved to the Area Councils on the same day. Security personnel will provide escort to the Area Councils and protection of the materials until they reach the polling units on Election Day”.
The INEC Boss explained that with regard to election technology for voter accreditation, the Commission has reviewed the performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the recent Anambra State Governorship election, adding that lessons learnt from that election have been considered in planning for the Area Council elections.
“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.
“The Commission is encouraged by the peaceful atmosphere in the FCT. So far, there are no adverse reports of clashes between supporters of different parties and not many incidents of hate or inciting speeches during the electioneering campaign. I commend the stakeholders for their advocacy for peaceful elections. I appeal to political parties and candidates to continue to show maturity and decorum in the last few days of campaign and on Election Day and beyond,” yakubu stated.
He, however pointed out that the 2022 FCT Area Council Election is not without its fair share of litigations. stressing that there are eight cases in court challenging the nomination or educational qualification of candidates with some of the cases are already before the Supreme Court. “However, contrary to the Commission’s experience in previous elections around the country, there are no conflicting judgments or orders by courts of coordinate jurisdiction anywhere on the forthcoming FCT elections. Let me seize this opportunity to appreciate the judiciary, particularly the FCT High Court, for standing firm to the shenanigans of forum shoppers and litigation-happy individuals who often waste the precious time of the Courts and INEC by litigating even the most improbable cases,” he stated.
He drew that attention of stakeholders to the expansion of polling units in FCT from 562 to additional 2, 260 units and relocated some of them from congested locations to proximate but underserved areas, adding that the Commission gave voters the opportunity to transfer to some of the new polling units.
“Unfortunately, voters did not take advantage of this opportunity as we had expected in all cases. Consequently, there are 593 polling units in the FCT without registered voters, 1,328 polling units with between 1-50 voters and 546 polling units with over 1,000 registered voters. We have already informed political parties, civil society organisations, the media and security agencies at the national level about this development.
“The Commission has decided that no election will take place at the polling units without registered voters. No materials have been produced for these units and no personnel will be deployed to them. However, voting will take place in all the other polling units. For congested polling units, the Commission will deploy more than one BVAS to facilitate a speedy accreditation of voters. We will also deploy additional staff to these locations. We also agreed with the security agencies to deploy more personnel to ensure peace and order.
“For transparency, the Commission is making the hard copies of the detailed locations of these polling units available to all stakeholders at this meeting. In addition, soft copies have also been uploaded to our website. By doing so, we want to achieve two objectives. First is to ensure that voters in the FCT and indeed all Nigerians are aware of these polling units and the arrangements made for them on Election Day. Secondly, to seek the support of all stakeholders to ensure that these polling units are populated ahead of the 2023 General Election. We need the support of especially the traditional, community and religious leaders in this regard,” Yakubu appealed.
In assuring stakeholders the Commission willingness to l protect the transparency and integrity of the process in n line with this commitment, Yakubu explained that they have accredited 58 observer groups (53 domestic and 5 foreign) that are deploying a total of 2,242 field observers, accredited 45 media organisations deploying 340 journalists to cover the election, adding that they will work with the security agencies to ensure that observers and the media are granted unimpeded access to voting and collation locations.
“The Commission is also deploying six Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to support the REC for the FCT and three National Commissioners to supervise the conduct of the election. Our eyes are on all our officials, be they ad hoc or regular staff, to ensure that they strictly abide by the rules. 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.
“ I would like to reiterate that voter inducement in all forms, including vote-buying at polling units, is a violation of the law. The ban on the use of mobile phones and other photographic devices in the voting cubicles is still in force.
“ Let me reassure you that the Commission is committed to free, fair and credible process. However, we need a similar commitment of especially the political parties and candidates to realise these goals. Therefore, at today’s meeting, parties and candidates will be required to resolve, pledge, affirm and commit to peaceful conduct before, during and after the election.
“As we commence the interactive part of this meeting, I want to urge all stakeholders to maintain decorum while making your contributions or responding to issues raised by others. Democracy demands accommodation of divergent views. Let us focus on issues and argue in support of what will improve the electoral process and the welfare of citizens.
“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,” he stated.
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Posted by News Rangers
on Feb 8 2022. Filed under National.
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