Mike Igini
From: Diana Okon-Effiong, Calabar
Mr Mike Igini, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Cross River Monday chided some political parties over what he called irregular conduct of ongoing primaries ahead of the 2015 polls.
Igini, who stated this in an interview with journalists in Calabar, said that the political parties have deviated from “the very commendable bench marks established” in Cross River in 2011.
“Since Nov.1 when the entire processes leading to the primaries commenced, I have been monitoring and observing trends. As at Nov. 2011 in this state the political parties conducted that which I commended.
“But the current exercise that started since Nov. 1 appears to be a movement away from the very commendable bench marks established in this state in 2011,’’ he said.
“Ordinarily the process of accreditation for either the state constituency or the federal and senatorial and of course the governorship to day shouldn’t be a problem.This is because those who should participate would be those who had emerged from the congresses that were conducted plus the statutory delegates which of course should be compiled because it is their matter.
“Party stakeholders particularly participating aspirants should know those who have emerged and of course should campaign for their votes,’’ Igini said.
He said that INEC in Cross River has not been availed list of delegates for the primaries by some political parties.
“But strangely and curiously contrary to the practice last year where some of these things were made available, up till now INEC has not been given copies of some of these lists. And of course it should be noted that a delegates’ list is equivalent to what is called the register of voters. Is it possible for INEC to conduct election without making available publicly as required by law and practice the register of voters? The answer is no.
“But what we are seeing all over now is a situation where even people who are participating in the exercise are not even given the opportunity of even seeing this register,” he said
Igini said that affected political parties also changed venues for the primaries thereby going contrary to their ground rules.
” We have also observed that contrary to the guidelines that they themselves have provided that they will be committed to in terms of venue and time, few hours to the exercise you are getting reports everywhere that venue has been changed.
“This is very strange because one of the hall mark of electoral process is sanctity of time and venue. Where an exercise should take place should be known by all but we are seeing something differently,’’ he said.
Igini said that INEC would not observe party primaries that are conducted outside approved venues and constituencies.
“We have to put our foot down because the guidelines the political parties gave to us talk about conducting the election in INEC approved Federal Constituency headquarters. We will not go to other places other than these venue. We have to encourage them to abide by some of these regulations.
“Now at the venue we had a check list for some of these things but again you are hearing complains that these and that were not done.This has gone to the extent that the accreditation that ought to have been done takes unnecessary waste of time.The PDP accreditation in South Senatorial District took over nine hours. The same political parties that have been condemning INEC cannot select ordinary candidates among themselves,’’ he said.
According to Igini INEC staff covering the primaries of the political parties in cross river have been subjected to stress while there are complaints over list of delegates in the PDP.
“Our staff have been undergoing tremendous stress and danger. In Obudu our staff were in the venue for about 2am. It means INEC has no other thing doing again than following political parties here and there.The question is this, is it possible for INEC to conduct election without publishing the voters register? It is impossible.
“The whole crisis has to do with the list of delegates. Why should that be because the foundation of any electoral process is the register of voters?
But how come that the political parties across board do not have a register of those who will participate in election.The foremost duty of political parties in a democracy is the fact that they will present candidates before the larger electorates. How far are the political parties discharging this responsibility to the society?
He stated that the nature of the 2015 general elections could be determined by actions or inactions or conduct of political parties in choosing their delegates and aspirants.
He urged political parties to respect the feelings of their members and provide a level playing field for choice of their flag bearers.
“My appeal to the political parties is that the nature of the general election could be gleaned from your actions and inactions of all stakeholders at this point in time with respect to these activities that will form the foundation of 2015 elections. I am appealing to them to respect members of their political parties. Now we have been having sleepless night since yesterday doing one primary,” Igini said.
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