Brave Dickson
The Independent National Electoral Commission has assured all candidates and political parties who took part in the 2023 general elections of equal treatment.
INEC in a statement made available to our correspondent and signed by its Resident Electoral Commissioner, Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem said the commission will not attach bias to the issuance of certified true copies and the inspection of election materials.
“The Commission has observed with equanimity the unfolding events in the past few days concerning the issuance of Certified True Copies of election materials and access for inspection of election materials used during the just concluded 2023 General Elections in Rivers State.
“The Management of INEC, Rivers State therefore wishes to assure all applicants and the general Public that the Commission is committed to discharging its constitutional and lawful duties without preferences or bias, and does request the co-operation and understanding of all Parties and the general public to enable us serve you better.
“Although the application of Certified True Copies of documents and access for inspection of election materials are the legitimate entitlement of Candidates and Parties to Election Petitions, these are however governed by processes and procedures which include payment of requisite fees, making copies/photocopies of relevant documents and certification by the authorised official of the Commission.
“The Commission has received nearly fifty (50) of these applications since the conclusion of the Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship and State Assembly elections in Rivers State and a good number of these applications have been processed in accordance with the date of receipt of such applications and payment of certification fees. This process is still on-going.
“The Commission has also advised all applicants to visit our Local Government offices where these documents are domiciled for inspection while we work out modalities for inspection of other documents domiciled at the State office in accordance with available spaces but they insisted that the huge volumes of documents like ballot papers be brought to the state office.
“They are once again reminded to avail themselves of this opportunity at our Local Government offices to inspect these materials as earlier advised,” the statement said.
