BY OMOVUDU BIVBERE
The Independent National Electoral Commission acting chairperson, Mrs. Amina Zakari stated on Tuesday any staff of the commission indicted by elections petitions tribunals for wrong practices in the conduct of the 2015 general elections would be punished in accordance with the law.
Speaking at the public presentation of the final report on the 2015 elections by the Civil Society Situation Room in Abuja, she said:
“I would like to make it clear that electoral malpractices will not be tolerated as the commission will continue to drive transparency and effectiveness,” speaking further she stated that “Any INEC official found wanting in the tribunals will be punished to the full extent of the law.”
According to her, there has been a decrease in the number of petitions challenging elections conducted by the commission.
“In 2007, a total of 1,290 petitions were filed in the tribunals, in 2011, it was 732 while 663 petition were filed in 2015. The reduction is driven by improvements in our electoral process but we would like to see a continued downward trend.”
According to her, the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states would serve as an opportunity to continue to display its improved process and rigor.
