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Edo Poll: CSO Expresses Concern Over Security Situation, Likely Vote Buying

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Ahead of the Edo State off-cycle governorship election, a civil society organisations – Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), has expressed concern over security situations in the state and likely vote buying.

KDI also predicted a low turnout during election, saying the turnout may not surpass that of 2020 election but may not be less than 20 per cent of PVC collected.

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KDI made this known in Benin on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting attended by the European Union Election Observation team, civil society organisations, and the media ahead of the governorship election.

Speaking on findings of the organisation, Olufwafemi John Adebayo, Head of Research and Strategy, KDI said a lot of factors may likely determine the outcome of the election.

READ ALSO: Edo People Don’t Need Wike To Know Whom To Vote For – Obaseki

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Adebayo, who said Nigerians are facing a lot of economic challenges rising from inflation, amongst others, expressed worries that this may have an impact on the outcome of tomorrow’s election.

He noted that politicians may use this instrument of hardship to lure the people through vote buying, which according to him may subvert the will of the people.

As you can see, inflation is high in the country, so what this means is that N2,000 will mean a lot to some people. Politicians may use this as an instrument. Vote buying does not make an election to reflect the will of the people. It subverts the will of the people.”

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He added: “So, one thing we are saying is that, in tomorrow’s election, law enforcement agencies – the EFCC, ICPC, the Nigeria Police, the NSCDC should put an eye to this regard,” he stressed.

On the likely turn out of voter, Adebayo said: “We may not have a turnout that surpasses the last election in the state. But we are also thinking from our data and some of the analysis we have done, it won’t be lower than 20 per cent.

READ ALSO: ‘Forgive Me’ – Oshiomhole Begs Igbinedion

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“But in all, we are saying the Edo people should come out and vote for the candidate of their choice. Election is a civil affair, so they should be part of those that will decide who will lead them. This is about their future.”

On security situation in the state, the KDI head of research said: “There have been issues of violence apparently in the state. The environment is tense. But ironically, non-electoral violence is even more than electoral violence, and it does have implications on the election.”

He appealed to the over 35 security personnel deployed to the state for the election to play by the rule by ensuring that election materials and electorate are secured not intimidated

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The presence of security agencies is to help to secure the election and not to intimidate the voter,” he noted.

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Politics

INEC Fixes Voter Registration Resumption Dates For Anambra Election, Nationwide

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will resume in Anambra on July 17 and nationwide on Aug. 18.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this at the commission’s quarterly meeting with political parties on Thursday in Abuja.

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Yakubu said that in view of the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra, the CVR exercise would be held at two levels.

He said the exercise would commence in the 326 wards across the state on July 8 and end on July 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, including the weekend.

READ ALSO: Anambra Governorship: INEC Publishes Final List, Announces Date For Campaign

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During the registration period, new voters as well as those who wish to transfer their registration to Anambra 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) were lost or damaged will have the opportunity to apply for replacement.

“Uncollected PVCs from previous registrations will also be available for collection at the registration centres.

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“Interested eligible Nigerian citizens are encouraged to appear in person to register,” he said.

The INEC chairman, however, explained that the online pre-registration option is currently unavailable.

READ ALSO: INEC Releases Details Of 16 Anambra Guber Candidates

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Yakubu added that voter registration and compilation of the voters’ register must be completed not later than 90 days before the date fixed for the election as provided by law.

For the nationwide CVR, the commission has approved resumption of the online and in-person registration of voters in all states of the federation.

“The online pre-registration will start on Aug. 18, while the in-person registration will follow on Aug. 25.

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“The exercise will be held simultaneously in all states and the FCT as well as the 774 Local Government Area offices nationwide,” he said.

Yakubu said the detailed schedule of activities would be released soon.
(NAN)

 

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2027: Drama As Two ‘ADA’ Emerge In INEC’s List Of 110 Party Registration Bids

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Two political associations seeking registration as political parties have submitted identical acronyms to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

According to Vanguard, the first is the All Democratic Alliance, ADA, being promoted by Chief Akin Ricketts and said to be one of the special purpose vehicles that the anti-Tinubu coalition is seeking to use as a platform in the 2027 general election.

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While the Ricketts ADA is 109 on the INEC list, the other ADA, Advanced Democratic Alliance, is 110, the last one the list unveiled by the electoral umpire.

This second ADA has Alhaji Ahmadu Suleiman as Protem Chairman and Zipporah Pius Miracles as Secretary.

READ ALSO: Atiku, El-Rufai Coalition Seeks INEC Registration For New Party

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The Ricketts ADA has its national headquarters at Ground Floor, UAC Complex, Plot 273 Samuel Adesujo Ademulegun Street, CBD, Abuja, FCT.

Suleiman’s ADA has its national headquarters at 1 Frandriance Close, Off Oda Crescent, Off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, no fewer than 110 political associations have written to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, seeking registration as political parties.

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Damagum Is PDP’s Problem – Ex-Benue Gov Suswam

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Former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, on Wednesday declared that the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Umar Damagum, is the problem of the party.

Suswam, who insisted that Damagum is not a leader, said the party has been drifting downwards since he assumed the role of acting National Chairman.

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Featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the former governor said, “There is no integrity in the leadership of PDP, I’m happy that Wike said it.

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“I have consistently said that Damagum is not a leader. What has happened here is that after the meeting with INEC, a good leader would have met with the National Working Committee members to brief them before holding any press conference.

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“Damagum has been the problem of the PDP since he assumed the acting National Chairman of the party. The party has been drifting downward, I have said this thing consistently.

“First and foremost, he breached the provisions of the constitution which said that he must act for a period and this position must go back to the North Central.”

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