The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) has vowed not to issue Certificate of Return to any individual that harasses, intimidates and puts the commission’s officers under pressure in order to procure a favourable declaration.
The electoral umpire made this known in a response to a court ruling ordering INEC to issue Rochas Okorocha his Certificate of Return as the winner of Imo West Senatorial Election.
Okorocha, had during the declaration of the election result, allegedly kidnapped Prof. Innocent Ibeawuchi, a returning officer in Imo and forced him to announce him as the winner of the election.
You May Also Like
In a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye Esq, he said the INEC received a copy of the judgment while also noting that it is also in possession of another court order of a high court in Imo State directing the electoral body not to issue Okorocha a Certificate of Return.
“The commission’s overriding consideration is the safety of its ad-hoc staff, Electoral Officers and Collation/Returning Officers and is worried that if electoral impunity is allowed to flourish, any individual can harass, intimidate and put the Commission’s officers under duress, procure a favourable declaration and be rewarded with a Certificate of Return,” Okoye said.
More Stories
Gun Threat Won’t Stop Us, Edo ADC Tells APC – ‘Our Weapon Is the PVC, and It’s 200 Times Stronger Than an AK-47’
‘You Have 7 days to account for N126bn ‘diverted electoral funds’ or face legal action – SERAP to INEC
Edo Assembly Formally Impeaches Suspended Speaker Agbebaku
SERAP Demands INEC Publish 2027 Election Political Donation Limits and Party Finances for Transparency
Osun Election: SERAP Urges INEC, EFCC, ICPC to Probe Vote-Buying, Violence, Calls for Regional, UN Scrutiny
