We’ve Withdrawn 25 Certificates of Return via Court Orders, Says INEC

Based on court orders, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Monday said it has withdrawn 25 Certificates of Return issued to some candidates who were declared winners during the 2019 general elections.

INEC Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, stated this at a “Forum on Media Coverage of 2019 General Elections” in Enugu.

Okoye explained that

20 of the 25 certificates of return were withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) members and issued to other APC members; while two from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members were withdrawn and issued to other PDP members.

The INEC commissioner said the other three were withdrawn from APC and PDP; and given to other political parties.

“Before we left INEC national headquarters on Friday; the commission has withdrawn 25 certificates of return from the first owners to their new owners following court orders to do that,” Okoye said.

He, however, lauded the media for its openness and robust engagement with the commission before, during and after the election, adding that the media has become critical stakeholders for the success of future elections.

Okoye pointed out that the media has become the first line of reach of the masses as well as platform for explanation of INEC political and electoral decisions.

Okoye therefore called on the media and its practitioners to dig deep into the Electoral Act to ensure that the import of the recent amended sections are made known to the public.

“The media should also centre on the aspect of using Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to resolve electoral issues especially at the party levels instead of going to the court,” Okoye proposed.