Head, INEC Voter Education and Publicity in the state, Mr Timidi Wariowei, told newsmen in Benin that the PVCs arrived at the commission’s office on Nov. 30.

Wariowei said that counting and sorting of the PVCs were currently ongoing to ascertain their actual number.

“We have just received the last tranche of PVCs for Edo. The commission had earlier promised Nigerians and in particular, Edo people, that the last batch of PVCs would be ready by November end.

“And on Nov. 30, the PVCs arrived at the Edo office of the commission.

“As you can see, the electoral officers from various local governments are counting and sorting the PVCs to get the actual number received.

“After the exercise, the cards will be taken to the local government areas for collection,” he said.

Wariowei disclosed that as at Nov. 20, the number of uncollected old PVCs stood at 483,796, out of which 12,351 had been collected, leaving a balance of 471,445 in the office.

He stated that the number of the new PVCs received as at Nov. 20 was 44,036, out of which 21,638 had been collected, leaving a balance of 22,398 in the office.

The INEC official also said that Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) would arrive at the state any moment from now.

“As we speak, our officials are at Benin airport, waiting to receive the BVAS which we are going to use for accreditation on the day of election.

The post 2023: INEC takes delivery of last batch of PVCs in Edo appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

Biden’s campaign warned that they also have lawyers who will fight to count each ballot.

Jen O’Malley Dillon, Biden’s campaign manager, said in a statement that “the president’s statement tonight about trying to shut down the counting of duly cast ballots was outrageous, unprecedented, and incorrect.

“Never before in our history has a president of the United States sought to strip Americans of their voice in a national election.’’

Dillon insisted that Trump had no legal power to declare himself the victor or influence vote counting. “We have legal teams standing by,’’ the statement said.

The post Biden campaign outraged Trump trying to ‘shut down’ vote counting appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

The command also ordered restriction of movement in the state from 7 am. to 2 pm. on the election day.

The Spokesman of the command, SP Odiko Macdon, announced this in a statement issued in Uyo on Friday.

He said that the personnel would be deployed in all the polling units and wards in the 31 council areas of the state.

Macdon quoted the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Andrew Amiengheme, as assuring the people of the state of adequate security before, during and after the exercise.

Amiengheme warned trouble makers against any form of lawlessness, saying that anybody caught would be dealt with.

He also warned the residents of the state against violating the restriction of movement order.

The post LG election: Police deploy 7, 194 personnel in Akwa Ibom appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

This is contained in a statement, made available to newsmen in Bauchi by Mr Mukhtar Gidado, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the state governor on media.

According to the statement, the gesture is to allow all citizens to exercise their civic rights in the local government elections on Saturday. There will elections in all the 20 Local Governments in the State.

The post Bauchi declares Friday work-free day ahead of council polls appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

McHenry made the call while briefing newsmen selected by the U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Global Public Affairs to cover the 2020 U.S. election on the topic, “Battle Electoral Ground States”.

At a webinar, McHenry said that it was time to do away with statements and rhetoric that could instigate violence in a democracy.

“We probably tone down all the war type rhetoric we use in our politics, it tends to raise the stakes.

“It tends to lead some extremist terrorist groups to say ‘oh am a militia’ and they say they are going to kidnap a governor.

“This is not where we should be headed with this language and tone in our politics,” he said.

He said that some states are predominantly won by the Democratic Party while some are dominated by the Republican Party.

McHenry said that some other states are referred to as battle grounds because they are not dominated by any party.

According to him, politicians are likely to spend more money on campaign adverts in ‘battle ground” states to swing voting in their favour.

The post U.S. Election: Researcher cautions politicians, stakeholders against inciting statement appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

The party National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, disclosed this at a press conference on Monday in Abuja.

Ologbondiyan, however called on President Muhammadu Buhari to take steps to accelerate the amendment of the Electoral Act, which was stalled.

The President did not assent to the amended Electoral Act of the National Assembly in 2019.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the governorship election held on Saturday in Ondo state.

Akeredolu got 292,830 votes to defeat Eyitayo Jegede of PDP who got 195,791 votes while Ajayi Agboola of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) got 69,127 votes.

Ologbondiyan, however said that the attention of the PDP had been drawn to a press conference by the Chairman, National Caretaker Committee of the APC, Gov. Mai Buni.

He said that Buni had begged the PDP to congratulate the APC over the outcome of the Ondo governorship election.

He described the call as an attempt by the governor to use PDP to endorse the election.

“The PDP is too structured as a party to be used by anybody under any guise in that regard,” Ologbondiyan said.

Buni, had earlier in a press conference advised the PDP to emulate the APC, which felicitated them in their victory in the Edo election, in congratulating Akeredolu.

“It is said, one good turn deserves another, and just like we congratulated PDP in the Edo election, we look forward to seeing PDP and the other political parties extend similar gesture to us in the spirit of good sportsmanship.

“By so doing, we will make elections in Nigeria healthier and attractive, rather than making elections a do or die affair,” Buni said.

The post PDP to make position known on Ondo election in due course – Ologbondiyan appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

Mai Mala Buni, Chairman, APC Caretaker and Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee gave the advice on Monday in Abuja, while briefing newsmen on the party’s take on the just concluded Ondo State governorship election.

Our correapondent reports that Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu, the Ondo State incumbent governor and APC candidate at the just concluded Oct. 10, gubernatorial poll won the election.

“As it is said, one good turn deserves another.

“Just like we congratulated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Edo election, we look forward to seeing PDP and the other political parties extend similar gesture to us in the spirit of good sportsmanship.

“By so doing, we will make elections in Nigeria healthier and attractive, rather than making elections a do or die affair.

“With the conclusion of the Ondo state governorship election, I sincerely express my gratitude to almighty God for the peaceful conduct of the election across the state,” he said.

Buni noted that in spite of the fear of violence entertained in some quarters, the people of Ondo state conducted themselves peacefully to re-elect Gov. Akeredolu for another term.

He specially congratulated the people of Ondo state, saying the party’s victory at the election was theirs.

Buni, who is also the governor of Yobe, thanked the electorate for renewing Akeredolu’s mandate for another term and for putting their trust in the APC, adding that they made the right choice.

“Akeredolu values this trust and will not disappoint you,” Buni stressed.

He expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osibanjo for their leadership roles and support to ensure that the APC emerged victorious at the election.

According to him, the guide and support of Buhari led the party to the path of success.

He added that the support and commitment of members of the Caretaker and Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee was immeasurable.

Buni expressed appreciation to the party’s Ondo state reconciliation committee and the state National Campaign Council under the leadership of Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger and Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.

“The wonderful work of the two committees have contributed immensely to the success of the party in this election.

“The efforts of the Ondo State Executive Committee, the Local Government and ward executives of the party, had greatly enriched our fortunes to win the election with less stress,” he said.

Buni, however, added that the concept of team work being promoted by the caretaker committee should remain a strong pillar in the collective quest to build a strong, united and prosperous APC.

He, therefore, enjoined all stakeholders, party members and supporters to promote team work in their future endeavors for the party’s success.

Buni noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, local and international election observers were professional and ethical in the discharge of their responsibilities during the election.

He expressed confidence that through genuine cooperation, the county’s electioneering process could always be improved.

He commended other political parties and their candidates at the election, saying they put up a good fight.

“I encourage us all to always maintain healthy competition in our quest to serve the people,” Buni said.

The post APC says politicians should not see elections as do or die affair appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

Dr Aisha Abdullahi, Co-chair, Yiaga Africa 2020 Ondo Election Observation Mission, stated this on Saturday at a press conference on situational report on the election.

Abdulahi commended INEC for early arrival of materials to polling units which saw large turnout of voters.

Abdulahi said it received reports of vote buying from Akure South, Ose, Ondo West, Ilaje and Akure North with the secrecy of the ballot being compromised.

“Despite attempts by polling officials to prevent voters and party agents from showing how ballot papers were marked, these electoral offenses occurred in the presence of security personnel who made no attempt in some cases to reprimand the culprits,” she said.

She also decried that there was minimum observation of social distancing across all the polling units observed.

Abdulahi, however, noted that the commencement of polls, compliance with INEC COVID-19 protocol on the two-tier queuing system in 88% of polling units, the presence of infrared thermometer and disinfectant/sanitizers in 74% of polling units were observed.

She said, in assessing the electoral process’ responsiveness to the needs of persons with disabilities, it tracked the presence of disability-sensitive election materials with the presence of the Braille ballot guide in 59% of polling units.

Abdulahi also noted that magnifying glasses in 27% of polling units, forms EC 40H (PWD Voter information and statistics) in 93% of polling units and the PWD posters Form EC 30E in 90% of polling units.

Yiaga Africa commended the good people of Ondo State for their peaceful conduct during the voting process and pleaded they remain patient and peaceful through the voting and counting process.

The post Vote buying, low compliance with covid-19 protocol characterised Ondo election – Yiaga Africa appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

The election was conducted to elect the two Senate Representatives on the Joint Council/Senate Selection Board for the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor for the institution.

A statement issued on Friday in Ibadan by Mrs Olubunmi Faluyi, the Registrar and Secretary to the Senate, said that the pro-chancellor ordered the investigation at a meeting held with the 301 members of the Senate on Thursday.

“The Chairman of Council had directed the Senate to examine the petitions of Prof. Ademola Dasylva of the Department of English, Faculty of Arts and Prof. Adesoji Fasanmade of the Department. of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, who lost in the election.

“The meeting deliberated extensively on all the issues raised in the two petitions and the responses of those who were alleged in the petitions, namely Prof. Francis Offor, Prof. Abiodun Ayodele, Prof. Deji Omole, Prof. Ayodeji Ogunjuyigbe and Mrs. Morenike Afolabi, with proof of their innocence” Faluyi said.

At the meeting, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, appealed to members to consider the meeting as a family gathering with optimism of amicable resolution of all matters.

Faluyi said “It is noteworthy that the meeting was frank, honest, transparent and in an atmosphere of civility.

“The resolutions of the meeting have been forwarded to Council for consideration.

“Members of the University are hereby enjoined to be peaceful and law-abiding in anticipation of amicable resolution of the matters by Council.’’

Our reporter reports that the Joint Council/Senate Selection Board of the institution has been tasked with the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor out of the 18 candidates jostling for the position.

Among the candidates are Prof. Kayode Adebowale , Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Temitope Alonge, former Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital; a former Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adeyinka Aderinto of the Department of Sociology.

Others are Prof. Babatunde Salako, former Provost, College of Medicine; Prof. Adesoji Fasanmade, Prof. Ebenezer Farombi, Prof. Raheem Lawal and Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi and Prof. A. Adedeji, who is not a lecturer in UI.

The newly appointed Vice Chancellor is to be appointed before Dec. 1 when he is expected to assume office and take over from Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka.

The post UI VC Race: Council Chairman orders investigation into alleged discrepancies in conduct of election appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

The order is contained in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr Frank Mba on Friday in Abuja.

According to him, the order is part of efforts by the Force to ensure effective coordination of public order and safety during the gubernatorial election. ​

He said the idea was to prevent political actors and trouble-makers from freely engaging in unpatriotic acts, circulation and use of illicit arms and hard drugs, movement of political thugs and disruption of the electoral processes.

Mba said the I-G called on residents of the state to go out in their numbers to exercise their franchise.

He said adequate security arrangement had been emplaced to secure the public space for the election.

According to him, the I-G enjoins the citizens to bear any inconveniences arising from the restriction order as it is part of necessary sacrifices to nurture and sustain democracy in the country.

He warned that anybody who engages in snatching of ballot boxes, vote buying, vote selling, hate speeches, and any other act capable of compromising the integrity of the electoral process would be brought to book.

The post Ondo State Governorship Election: I-G orders restriction of vehicular movement appeared first on NEWSVERGE.