See below the analysis for the 2015 Presidential Elections as announced by inec, at the time of upload, borno result is still being expected.
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Prepared by Tunji Eleso
| Local Government | percentage turnout (Registered vs Acredited) |
| OLUYOLE | 37.32156729 |
| IDO | 38.71086799 |
| KAJOLA | 48.36923625 |
| SAKI EAST | 44.30758504 |
| AFIJO | 59.00231014 |
| ORELOPE | 47.42958709 |
| IREPO | 41.81088659 |
| ITESIWAJU | 51.71232877 |
| ISEYIN | 48.36109427 |
| OYO EAST | 49.97239806 |
| ATIBA | 44.14232367 |
| ONAARA | 40.03997453 |
| IBARAPA EAST | 50.89714556 |
| ORIRE | 72.86844187 |
| SAKI WEST | 40.57306407 |
| LAGELU | 27.86404891 |
| IWAJOWA | 48.409244 |
| SURULERE | 49.70591942 |
| IBARAPA CENTRAL | 47.87061726 |
| IBARAPA NORTH | 47.46960237 |
| OGOLUWA | 52.77036048 |
| IBADAN SOUTH EAST | 29.65812993 |
| EGBEDA | 36.33421815 |
STATEMENT ON THE TIMETABLE FOR 2015 GENERAL ELECTIONS BY THE CHAIRMAN, INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC), PROFESSOR ATTAHIRU M. JEGA, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ON FEBRUARY 07th, 2015
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Introduction
We invited you here today to make known the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the timetable for the 2015 general elections. Let me state from the outset that the Commission’s position was reached after carefully weighing the suggestions from briefings held with different stakeholders in the electoral process.
The conduct of elections in a country like Nigeria is invariably a collective venture that involves not just the Election Management Body (EMB), but also a diverse range of stakeholders, notably security agencies, political parties and their candidates, voters, as well as interest groups, such as the civil society organizations and the media. To guarantee successful conduct of elections, there are things that are wholly the responsibility of the EMB. But there are other things critical for the success of elections, which fall outside the control of the EMB.
In other words, while INEC must work hard to perfect its systems and processes for conducting elections, and take responsibility for any imperfections thereof, whatever the Commission does may not by itself be sufficient to guarantee the success of elections. There are a number of issues in the preparation and conduct of an election, the most critical of which is security, which is not under the control of INEC.
Current State of INEC’s Preparedness
On Thursday, February 5, 2015, I was invited to brief the National Council of State, which is the highest advisory to the President comprising past and present leaders in Nigeria, on the level of preparedness of INEC to conduct the 2015 general elections. I made a presentation to the Council titled ‘Preparations for the 2015 General Elections: Progress Report,’ in which I gave a detailed account of what the Commission has been doing in readiness for the national elections (National Assembly and Presidential) scheduled for February 14th, and the state elections (Governorship and State Assembly) scheduled for February 28th, 2015.
The summary of my presentation to the National Council of State meeting is that, for matters under its control, INEC is substantially ready for the general elections as scheduled, despite discernible challenges being encountered with some of its processes like the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by registered members of the public.
In addition, INEC has been doing everything it can to facilitate the collection of the PVCs by registered members of the public. As at 5th February 2015, the total number of PVCs collected was 45, 829, 808, representing 66.58% of the total number of registered voters.
In the delivery and deployment of electoral materials, INEC is also at a comfort level in its readiness for the general elections as scheduled (see the presentation to the Council of State). The Commission’s preparations are not yet perfect or fully accomplished. But our level of preparedness, despite a few challenges, is sufficient to conduct free, fair and credible elections as scheduled on February 14th and February 28th. Compared with 2011 when, within a short time, we conducted general elections that were universally adjudged free, fair and credible and the best in Nigeria’s recent electoral history, our processes are today better refined, more robust and therefore capable of delivering even better elections.
Other Variables
But as I mentioned earlier, there are some other variables equally crucial for successful conduct of the 2015 general elections that are outside the control of INEC. One important variable is security for the elections.
While the Commission has a very good working relationship with all security agencies, especially on the platform of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) since its inception in 2010, it has become pertinent for it to seriously consider the security advisory presented to it by the Security and Intelligence Services. I would like to reiterate here that INEC is an EMB and not a security agency. It relies on the security services to provide a safe environment for personnel, voters, election observers and election materials to conduct elections wherever it deploys. Where the security services strongly advise otherwise, it would be unconscionable of the Commission to deploy personnel and call voters out in such a situation.
Last Wednesday, which was a day before the Council of State meeting, the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) wrote a letter to the Commission, drawing attention to recent developments in four Northeast states of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe currently experiencing the challenge of insurgency. The letter stated that security could not be guaranteed during the proposed period in February for the general elections.
This advisory was reinforced at the Council of State meeting on Thursday where the NSA and all the Armed Services and Intelligence Chiefs unanimously reiterated that the safety and security of our operations cannot be guaranteed, and that the Security Services needed at least six weeks within which to conclude a major military operation against the insurgency in the Northeast; and that during this operation, the military will be concentrating its attention in the theatre of operations such that they may not be able to provide the traditional support they render to the Police and other agencies during elections.
INEC’s Decision
We have done wide ranging consultation to enable us have as much input as is necessary before taking an informed decision. In the series of consultations that we held with stakeholders, the questions consistently posed to them for consideration are:
(i) In view of the latest development, should INEC proceed with the conduct of the general elections as scheduled in spite of this strong advice; and if so, what alternative security arrangements are available to be put in place?
(ii) Or, should INEC take the advice and adjust the schedules of the general elections within the framework of Constitutional provisions?
The Commission held a meeting after the consultations, and decided to take the advice of the Security Chiefs and adjust the dates of the elections. We have done this relying on Section 26(1) of the Electoral 2010 (As Amended), which states thus: “Where a date has been appointed for the holding of an election, and there is reason to believe that a serious breach of the peace is likely to occur if the election is proceeded with on that date or it is impossible to conduct the elections as a result of natural disasters or other emergencies, the Commission may postpone the election and shall in respect of the area, or areas concerned, appoint another date for the holding of the postponed election, provided that such reason for the postponement is cogent and verifiable”.
INEC not being a security agency that could by itself guarantee protection for personnel and materials, as well as voters during elections, the Commission cannot lightly wave off the advice by the nation’s Security Chiefs. The Commission is specifically concerned about the security of our ad hoc staff who constitute at least 600,000 young men and women, together with our regular staff, voters, election observers as well as election materials painstakingly acquired over the last one and half years. This concern is limited not just to the areas in the North-eastern part of Nigeria experiencing insurgency; the risk of deploying young men and women and calling people to exercise their democratic rights in a situation where their security cannot be guaranteed is a most onerous responsibility. Under such circumstances, few EMBs across the world, if any, would contemplate proceeding with the elections as scheduled. No matter the extent of INEC’s preparedness, therefore, if the security of personnel, voters, election observers and election materials cannot be guaranteed, the life of innocent young men and women as well the prospects of free, fair, credible and peaceful elections would be greatly jeopardised.
Consequently, the Commission has decided to reschedule the 2015 general elections thus: the national elections (i.e. Presidential and National Assembly) are now to hold on March 28th, 2015; while the state elections (Governorship and State Assembly) are to hold on April 11th, 2015. It should be noted that this rescheduling falls within the constitutional framework for the conduct of the elections, notably, Sections 76(2), 116(2), 132(2) and 178(2). See also Section 25 of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended).
For the avoidance of doubt, we will under no circumstances approve an arrangement that is not in line with the provisions of our laws. Our hope is that with this rescheduling, the security services will do their best to ensure that the security environment needed for safe and peaceful conduct of the 2015 elections is rapidly put in place.
We in INEC reassure all Nigerians and indeed the international community of our commitment to do everything within the law and to conduct free, fair, credible and peaceful elections. We call on the security agencies to honour their commitment to restore sufficient normalcy for elections to take place within the period of extension. We also call on Nigerians, political parties, candidates and all other stakeholders to accept this decision in good faith and ensure the maintenance of peace.
As for us in INEC we’ll endeavour to use the period of the extension to keep on perfecting our systems and processes for conducting the best elections in Nigeria’s history. In particular, we believe that we would resolve all outstanding issues related to non-collection of PVCs, which agitate the minds of many Nigerians.
Finally, we wish to call on all Nigerians to accept our decision, which is taken in good faith and the best interest of deepening democracy ion our country.
Thank you.
Professor Attahiru M. Jega, OFR
Chairman, INEC
The Nigerian official, who is knowledgeable of the discussions, said the Independent National Electoral Commission will announce the postponement later Saturday. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
A major offensive with warplanes and ground troops from Chad and Nigeria already has forced the insurgents from a dozen towns and villages in the past 10 days. Even greater military strikes by more countries are planned.
African Union officials and representatives of countries supporting the initiative were ending a three-day meeting Saturday in Yaounde, Cameroon’s capital, to finalize details of a 7,500-strong force from Nigeria and its neighbors Chad, Cameroon, Benin and Niger. Details of funding, with the Africans wanting the United Nations and European Union to pay, may delay the mission.
Nigeria’s home-grown extremist group has responded with attacks on one town in Cameroon and two in Niger this week. Officials said more than 100 civilians were killed and 500 wounded in Cameroon. Niger said about 100 insurgents and one civilian died in attacks Friday. Several security forces from both countries were killed.
International concern has increased along with the death toll: Some 10,000 killed in the uprising in the past year compared to 2,000 in the four previous years, according to the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations.
Officials in President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration have supported postponing the Feb. 14 vote.
Any delay is opposed by an opposition coalition fielding former military dictator Muhammadu Buhari, though the opposition stands to take most votes in the northeast.
Supporters of both sides are threatening violence if their candidate does not win. Some 800 people were killed in riots in the mainly Muslim north after Buhari, a Muslim, lost 2011 elections to Jonathan, a Christian from the south.
Analysts say the vote is too close to call, the most tightly contested election since decades of military dictatorship ended in 1999.
Jonathan’s party has won every election since then but the failure of the military to curb the 5-year Islamic uprising, growing corruption and an economy hit by halved oil prices have hurt the president of Africa’s biggest oil producer and most populous nation of about 170 million.
A postponement also will give electoral officials more time to deliver some 30 million voter cards. The commission had said the non-delivery of cards to nearly half of the 68.8 million registered voters was not a good reason to delay the vote.
Source AP
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has stated that it would hold a meeting with chairmen and secretaries of all registered political parties, and Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs on Saturday, to decide whether to go ahead with the general elections billed for February 14 and 28.
A statement Friday by Kayode Idowu, the spokesperson of INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega, said after meetings, “the Commission will address a press conference to brief the nation on its decision with regard to whether or not the general elections will hold as currently scheduled”.
Mr. Jega had on Thursday briefed the National Council of States on the preparedness of the Commission to conduct the 2015 general elections.
He made a presentation titled, Preparations for the 2015 General Elections: Progress Report.
The National Security Adviser, NSA, Sambo Dasuki, and Armed Services Chiefs also briefed the Council on the current security situation.
Mr. Jega had informed the council that the commission was in a better position to conduct the election at present compared to the 2011 election.
“Compared with the 2011 General Elections, for instance, our systems are definitely more robust. We believe that we are ready for the elections as planned,” Mr. Jega said.
Source:.premiumtimesng.com
INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION
2015 GENERAL ELECTIONS: MEDIA ACCREDITATION GUIDELINES
WHY ACCREDITATION?
For the safety of all participants in the electoral process, every person in the polling environment on Election Day will have some form of accreditation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). These include poll workers, registered voters, party agents, domestic and international election observers, local and foreign journalists as well as special guests of the Commission. Accreditation is also required for assistants like translators, orderlies, drivers and audio-visual handlers.
APPLICATION FOR ACCREDITATION
Media organsiations intending to send representatives to report the election procedures must apply to INEC for the accreditation of every such individual. Relevant application forms are available online at www.inecnigeria.org or may be collected in person (Monday to Friday, 8.30 a.m.. to 4.00 p.m.) from the Department of Voter Education and Publicity, INEC Headquarters Annex, 10 Blantyre Street, (Near Barcelona Hotel), Wuse 11, Abuja; or from the state (head) offices of INEC for media organisations/journalists intending to cover the elections in the respective states. Applications must be received not later than 6th February 2015.
GUIDELINES FOR ACCREDITATION
I. Liaison Personnel
Media organisations are advised to assign Liaison Officer(s) to coordinate the accreditation of their nominated staff by INEC. The Liaison Officer(s) will be required to visit the INEC national or state offices, as may be relevant, to submit the accreditation application documentation. The Liaison Officer will also be the organisation’s contact person to be reached with further information by INEC.
II. Documents required for Accreditation Application
III. Submission of Documents
The media organisation’s Liaison Officer shall submit the application to:
(a) The Director, Voter Education and Publicity (D,VEP) at INEC Headquarters Annex, 10 Blantyre Street, Wuse 11, Abuja with regard to journalists who will be at the National Headquarters’ Media Centre on Election Day and at the National Collation Centre for the Presidential election; and
(b) The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), through the Public Affairs Officer (PAO) in respective of states across the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for journalists who will be covering elections in those states or the FCT.
IV. Deadline for Submission: Submission of all documents for accreditation will end at 4.00 p.m. on Wednesday, 11th February, 2015 at the National Headquarters and 4.00p.m. on Thursday, 12th February, 2015 in respect of accreditation in the States. No submission received after this time will be entertained
V. Issuance of Accreditation
Upon processing the application for accreditation, INEC will require persons for whom accreditation is being sought to go to INEC Headquarters Annex, Blantyre Street, Wuse 11, Abuja, in regard of (i) above, or the respective state offices of INEC in regard of (ii) above, for the issuance of accreditation tags and kits. The issuance of accreditation tags and kits will be done simultaneously nationwide from Monday, 9th February, 2015
Please Note: INEC reserves the right to withhold accreditation from any organisation or journalist whose professional identity is not adequately verifiable.
VI. Responsibilities of Accredited Journalists
With proper accreditation, journalists and allied staff have the endorsement of INEC to cover election procedures unhindered within the respective jurisdictions for which they have been accredited. It is expected, however, that journalists’ conduct in the polling environment will reflect strict professional ethics as well as high level of dispassion and objectivity. To this end:
LINE OF AUTHORITY
Accredited journalists, like everybody else in the polling environment, shall be subject to direction of and prohibitions by the Presiding Officer.
Please Note: INEC reserves the right to revoke the accreditation of any journalist who defies the Presiding Officer or violates the professional codes of journalist practice.
Click Here to Download The Form
List of Gubernatorial candidates of each parties from all the States in Nigeria
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to Sunday, 8thFebruary 2015.
This supersedes the earlier deadline of Saturday, 31st January 2015, and is intended to give registered voters yet to collect their PVCs the opportunity to do so in readiness for the February 2015 general elections.
The origin of Electoral bodies in Nigeria can be traced to the period before Independence when the Electoral Commission of Nigeria (ECN) was established to conduct 1959 elections. The Federal Electoral Commission (FEC), established in 1960 conducted the immediate post-independence federal and regional elections of 1964 and 1965 respectively.
The electoral body was however, dissolved after the military coup of 1966. In 1978, a new Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) was constituted by the regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo. FEDECO organized the elections of 1979, which ushered in the Second Republic under the leadership of Alhaji Shehu Shagari. It also conducted the general elections of 1983.
In December 1995, the military government of General Sani Abacha, which earlier dissolved NEC in 1993, established the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON), which also conducted another set of elections; Local Government councils to National Assembly. These elected institutions were however not inaugurated before the sudden death of General Abacha, on June 1998 aborted the process. In 1998 General Abdulsalam Abubakar’s Administration dissolved NECON and established the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The body organized all transitional elections that ushered in the 4th republic on May 29 1999. It has today repositioned itself to deliver credible elections that would sustain Nigeria’s nascent democracy.
As a permanent body, INEC comprises the workforce recruited since 1987 under the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC). Its presence has been established in all the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory as well as in the 774 Local Government Areas of Nigeria.
Source:inecnigeria.org