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- INEC has ignored calls for the cancellation of the Anambra State governorship election held last Saturday and instead fixed November 30 for the supplementary poll in areas where elections were cancelled.
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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.
