Anambra guber: INEC laments stifling opposition parties on access to public facilities

•Threatens legal action in prima facie evidence of violation of law

From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has complained bitterly about the recurring perennial treatment the ruling party in Anambra State is meting out on the opposition parties, by denying them access to public facilities for electioneering activities.

INEC equally threatened a possible legal action in the face of prima facie evidence of the violation of the law, announcing that it would collaborate with the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and intensify its collaboration with the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON).

INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, expressed the reservation in his remarks at the second regular consultative meeting with the leadership of the political parties held at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja yesterday.

Yakubu complained that apart from denying access to open spaces for rallies and processions, the state’s governing party, in extreme cases, charges prohibitive amounts for outdoor advertising.

The electoral umpire warned that the actions were a violation of the Electoral Act 2022 which prohibits the use of incumbency to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate.

He said: “As campaign activities commence in Anambra State, I wish to draw attention to the perennial complaints, especially by the opposition parties about the denial of access to public facilities for electioneering activities. These include the state media, public buildings for meetings and open spaces for rallies and processions. In some cases, prohibitive amounts are charged for outdoor advertising.

“These actions are a violation of the Electoral Act 2022, which prohibits the use of incumbency to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate. Going forward, the commission will work with IPAC and intensify our collaboration with ARCON for a possible legal action in the face of prima facie evidence of the violation of the law,” he warned.

On the commencement date for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), the electoral umpire boss announced that the exercise would resume on August 18 this year with the on-line pre-registration.

He said: “For the nationwide CVR, the commission has approved the resumption of the online and in-person registration of voters in all the states of the federation. The online pre-registration will start August 18, while the in-person registration will follow on August 25.

“The exercise will be held simultaneously in all the 36 states and the FCT offices as well as the 774 local government offices nationwide. Detailed schedule of activities will be released shortly.

“The commission has approved the resumption of CVR exercise which will be held at two levels. In view of the forthcoming governorship election, the CVR in Anambra State will commence in the 326 wards across the state on July 8, and end on July 17, from 9.00am to 3.00pm daily, including weekends.

“During the registration period, new voters as well as those who wish to transfer their registration to Anambra State from other states of the federation or from one location to another within the state will have the opportunity to do so. “Similarly, registered voters whose Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) are lost or damaged will have the opportunity to apply for a replacement. Uncollected PVCs from previous registrations will also be available for collection at the registration centres. Interested eligible Nigerian citizens are encouraged to appear in person to register.

“The online pre-registration option is not available for the time being. Voter registration and the compilation of the voters’ register must be completed not later than 90 days before the date fixed for the election as provided by law,” he said.