By Emeka Nze
Abuja
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that it was ready to conclude re-run elections in four states not later than July 31.
The Commission also stated that it would today fix the date of the re-run elections after its meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and other relevant stakeholders in Abuja.
INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stated this yesterday in Abuja during his second quarterly meeting with states Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).
Recall that court-ordered re-run elections in Rivers, Kogi, Kano and Imo states, but the re-runs were suspended by the Commission following alleged widespread electoral malfeasance and violence which marred the exercise.
In his brief remarks shortly before the meeting dissolved into a closed door session, Yakubu also restated the readiness of the Commission for the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.
He said: “There are a number of issues to be discussed, though this is a regular meeting; notably, the preparations for the forthcoming elections; the conclusion of rerun in Rivers, Kano, Imo and Kogi states. We have started the processes of consultation to determine the date for the conclusion of the rerun elections in the four states that I have mentioned not later than July 31.
“We have met with political parties and security agencies. Today, it is the turn of Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and thereafter tomorrow we shall have the national stakeholders’ forum involving political parties, candidates involved in the elections, the security agencies, Resident Electoral Commissioners, the Civil Society Organisations and the Media to fix a date for the exercise.
“Secondly, we are also going to discuss preparations for the forthcoming end of tenure governorship elections in Edo on September 10 and Ondo on November 26.”
He also added that INEC had concluded the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in both states, adding that no fewer than 100, 000 people were registered in each of the states.
