The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has directed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in states where State Governorship and House of Assembly elections were conducted and concluded, to issue certificates of return to the winners.
INEC scheduled that it should be effected Wednesday 29th, Thursday 30th and Friday 31st March 2023 for the issuance of certificates of return to Governors and Deputy Governors-elect as well as State Assembly members-elect.
Festus Okoye, the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, disclosed this Saturday, saying that it was in pursuance of the provisions of Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandated the Commission to issue a certificate of return within 14 days to every candidate who has been returned elected under the law.
Further, he said that the certificates issuance should be held in INEC offices in respective states nationwide.
OPTIMUM TIMES recalled that the aforementioned elections took place in 28 states out the 36 states of the Federation. The remaining eight states have of season election years.
Okoye explained that the decision was taken during the Commission’s meeting Saturday, to deliberate on wide range of issues including the issuance of Certificates of Return to those elected during the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections conducted by the Commission on 18th March 2023.
According to him, “By the provisions of Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, the Commission is mandated to issue a certificate of return within 14 days to every candidate who has been returned elected under the law.
“Pursuant to the above provision, the Commission has fixed Wednesday 29th, Thursday 30th and Friday 31st March 2023 for the issuance of certificates of return to Governors and Deputy Governors-elect as well as State Assembly members-elect. The presentation will take place in INEC offices in each State of the Federation
“Specific dates for the issuance of the certificates shall be communicated to those elected by the Resident Electoral Commissioners and Administrative Secretaries of the various States.”
News1 week ago