INEC ANNOUNCES NOVEMBER 30 FOR ANAMBRA SUPPLEMENTARY ELECTION

The Independent National Electoral
Commission, INEC, has finally announced
that the proposed Anambra supplementary
election will hold on Saturday, November
30, 2013...

Chairman of the commission, Professor
Attahiru Jega said this at the commission
headquarters in Abuja on Friday, after the
commission's meeting over the
inconclusive governorship election held on
November 16 and 17, 2013.
Professor Jega said that INEC regrets the
challenges faced in the polls, but explained
that the commission did all it could to make
sure the election was free and fair. He
however dismissed calls for outright
cancellation, as he said INEC was yet to
receive substantive evidence from any
political party on reasons why the polls
should be cancelled.
"We have examined all the accusations and
allegations that have been made, and we've
come to the conclusion that in spite of
minor challenges, unfortunate challenges in
the field, there is no substantial evidence to
support outright cancellation of the
process."
"There is no other decision that we can
make as a commission other than that of
the Returning Officer, to conduct the
supplementary election in those areas
where the results were cancelled before the
final return is made."
He added in his response to Journalists
that the All Progressives Congress, APC's
petition to the INEC has not added any new
information different from those already
expressed by its candidate in the election,
Dr Chris Ngige. He stressed that they have
not provided any evidence to warrant
outright cancellation of the election.
Still reacting to questions from Journalists,
Professor Jega also denied hiding the
identity of its Electoral Officer, Mr
Chukwujekwu Okeke, who is said to be in
the police net after allegations of
compromise of the polls in Idemili North
Local Government. He assured that Mr
Okeke would be charged to court, as INEC
will not protect any of its staff found
defective.
He added that elections conducted in
Idemili North Local Government on Sunday
November 17 due to delays on the
scheduled election day was conducted on
the recommendation of stakeholders in the
community and in agreement with a large
number of the voters, and as such the INEC
cannot be held responsible for the political
parties that decided to boycott it.
He assured that the November 30
supplementary election will be better
managed.