Nation
INEC Assures On 2023 Election Process
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday said it is stepping up its game to ensure that the 2023 electoral process or system is not undermined by disgruntled elements.
The Commission’s Head of Unit, Voter Education in Kano State, Ashiru Garba, made this known during a Train the Trainers Workshop organized by the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) for State Coordinators from across the northern region held in Kano.
Garba insisted that with the introduction of electronic accreditation, voting and transmission of election results, the era of election process manipulation is over.
He, however, said the commission was not relenting on it oars to put several steps in place ahead of those who seek to undermine the system.
He said, “apart from voting, results management is easily the most critical aspect of election administration. Indeed, for most politicians, it is perhaps more important than voting.
“The reason for this is not farfetched. While voting is an open and public activity, results management is usually run by a few election officials, mostly outside the glare of the public.
“Consequently, Politicians and indeed citizens, are often apprehensive that results could be simulated and may not reflect the votes cast.
“This feeling is deepened by past experiences in our system where actually massive doctoring and falsification of election results have occurred. Accordingly, it could be said that an election is as successful as its results management.
“Over the years, the Independent National Electoral Commission has realized that efficient and transparent result management is at the heart of public trust, peaceful elections, growth and consolidation of our democracy.
“The Commission has been resolute about this and invested enormous time, thinking and resources to improving the results management system.
“The commission continued on this direction and push for both the use of technology for accreditation and the electronic transmission of results and accreditation data.
“Thus, when the country was engaged in a fierce debate last year over the inclusion of electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Act, the Commission issued a major position paper outlining the legal and technical issues involved and strongly recommended the adoption of electronic transmission of results.
“The breakthrough came with the new Electoral Act 2022 which empowered the Commission to adopt electronic means for both accreditation and results management.
“Indeed, the persistence of the Commission on these issues, particularly in the management of results are now well expressed in extant Legal Framework, Administrative Procedures and Technological innovations introduced in recent times by the Commission.
“The Electoral Act 2022 makes very progressive provisions in support of the Commission’s long standing quest to carefully increase the use of technology in election management.
“Not only does the Act empower the Commission to use the BVAS for accreditation of voters, but it also provides for the electronic transmission of results and accreditation data. Four cardinal provisions of the Act have contributed to improved results management.
“It is clear that armed with an improved Electoral Act, Administrative Procedures and Requisite technology, the Commission has increased the transparency and confidence of the public in its election processes.
“I can confidently say that the days of wanton manipulation of elections results are over. Yet, the Commission is not resting on its oars, knowing that it must remain several steps ahead of those who seek to undermine the system. The importance of IReV to transparency of results management is obvious.
“I call on all stakeholders to support the Commission to continue to work to improve IReV and the entire result management system towards the 2023 General Election, which will be far more extensive that what we have done so far”.
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rivers state has declared a one day fasting and prayer to seek divine intervention on the political crisis rocking the state.
The Association said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt.
State chairman of the Association,Most Rev. Dokiboeriya B. Kaladokubo said the fasting and prayer which holds February 5th at the Ecumenical center Abonnema wharf was in furtherance of the Association peace, advocacy, good governance and political stability in Rivers state.
He said the Association has observed with disappointment the dangerous trend and and gradual descent of governance in Rivers state into uncertainty and near oblivion, adding that the trend has exposed Rivers citizens to insecurity, economic hardship, loss of livelihood and the destruction of lives and property.
Kaladokubo said the association has also watched with dismay the unfolding political crisis in the state, stressing “what we see today is not merely a disagreement among political actors,it is a dangerous drift that threatens the very foundation of governance, peace, security and the collective well-being of our people”
According to him,”as the custodians of the spiritual and moral conscience of Rivers state,we can not remain silent while the state is pushed steadily towards chaos, institutional breakdown and avoidable suffering
“We are not oblivious of the fact that Rivers state like some other states in the federation often experience tension between the Executive and the Legislature “adding”when disagreement escalate they can hinder governance, delay budgets ,erode public trust and impede peaceful, constructive development”
The Christian body stressed the need for parties involved in the conflict to seek for peaceful resolution, stressing that as Christians and children of God “we should seek the path of peace and reconciliation as Christ Himself taught us”it said
The Association further encourage the both arms of government to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness and prioritize good governance in Rivers state
“We also advised all the parties in these conflict to call their supporters to exercise restraint in all their utterances and de-escalate tension in the interest of peace in Rivers state ”
CAN also described as disturbing the role some elder statesmen and individuals in the state have played and continue to play in the crisis when they should have serve as voices of wisdom, restraint and unity
“Rather than guiding the process towards peace, some have taken sides,fueled division and encouraged instability becoming more dangerous than those currently holding power”,it said.
John Bibor
-
Niger Delta3 days agoPDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority
-
Sports3 days agoSimba open Nwabali talks
-
Nation3 days agoHoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
Stakeholders Task INC Aspirants On Dev … As ELECO Promises Transparent, Credible Polls
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
Students Protest Non-indigene Appointment As Rector in C’River
-
News5 days agoDon Lauds RSG, NECA On Job Fair
-
Oil & Energy3 days agoNUPRC Unveils Three-pillar Transformative Vision, Pledges Efficiency, Partnership
-
Rivers3 days ago
Fubara Restates Continued Support For NYSC In Rivers