*The electoral umpire confused over pending appeal in Bayelsa
*Nigerians blame Electoral laws for such confusion
Facts have emerged on why less than 14 days to the off-cycle gubernatorial elections in three states, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) destroyed over 2.4 million ballot papers in Imo State.
The off-cycle polls will hold on November 11 in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states.
But currently, pronouncements in Bayelsa and Imo states have created anxiety for political parties and brought about last-minute logistic challenges for INEC regarding the printing of ballot papers.
As a result of a court order requiring the inclusion of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in the ballot for the governorship poll in Imo State, INEC was forces to destroy about 2.4 million ballot papers it already printed for the election.
The ballot papers, according to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, were printed about a month ago and kept safely with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
But those ballot papers have become.mere tissue papers following the judgment, forcing the electoral commission to destroy the over 2.4 million already printed and moved to the state.
At the moment, the commission has awarded another contract for the printing of new ballot papers in submission to the Court’s verdict.
In Bayelsa State, INEC is still awaiting the decision of the Court of Appeal on the fate of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timipre Sylva.
And should the upper court uphold the disqualification of Sylva by the lower court, INEC would have no option than to do a last minute preparation to print another set of ballot papers to exclude APC.
Reliable sources, who spoke on confidence, stated that: “INEC is set for the off-cycle elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states, but the commission is at the mercy of court decisions.
“For instance, INEC had to destroy about 2.4 million ballot papers in order to abide by a court judgment which directed it to include the PRP governorship candidate in Imo State.
“INEC had a month ago printed and kept the ballot papers for Imo Governorship Election with the CBN. Imagine the loss to the nation with the destruction of the ballot papers.
“Again, there is an outstanding case in the Supreme Court on the last governorship poll in the state.
“Concerning Bayelsa State, INEC is waiting for the verdict of the Court of Appeal on APC candidate, Timipre Sylva, to wrap up its final preparations.
“In obedience to the order of a High Court, Sylva was removed from the list of governorship candidates pending the final judgment of the court.”
Responding to concerns raised, the sources explained further: “Unless there are new amendments to the Electoral Act, INEC will continue to be on the edge.
“Most of the cases involving INEC arise from pre-election matters of parties, including eligibility of candidates and the conduct of party primaries.
“We are handicapped; we have to obey court orders.”
Last week, while defending the credibility of the 2023 elections, INEC, in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Sam Olumekun, indicted parties and their members for resorting to litigations.
It said: “It is pertinent to note that the grounds for challenging the outcome of an election as provided in Section 134 of the Electoral Act, 2022 are not limited to the conduct of election by the commission.
“An election may be questioned on the grounds that the winner of the election was not qualified to contest the election by virtue of his academic qualifications, age, etc.
“Many of the petitioners did not challenge the conduct of the elections by INEC but the eligibility of candidates or their nomination by political parties.
“Under the law, INEC has no power to screen candidates. Similarly, only the courts can disqualify candidates.
“A report blames the pre-election cases arising from the conduct of primary elections by political parties on INEC.
“These are intra-party cases involving party members in which they join the commission and seek for reliefs binding on it.
“As everyone knows, INEC does not conduct primaries for political parties.
“Thirdly, in pursuit of their right under the law, many litigants in Nigeria unfortunately file election petitions over the most improbable cases and later withdraw them or they are dismissed by the tribunals.”
