The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has advised Nigerians to disregard false assurances that are contrary to the commission’s electoral rules and regulations.
The advice is contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Kayode Idowu, on Friday in Abuja.
Reports have it that the Governorship and State Assemblies elections will hold on Saturday.
The statement said that the commission would not allow the use of the Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs).
It stated that the commission received a report that some political leaders were asking the public to disregard INEC’s resolve to use Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and Smart Card Readers (SCRs) for the poll.
“A particular state governor in the North Central geo-political zone is reported to have assured voters in the state that they could come out to vote on Saturday with the TVC if they do not have the PVC.
“And that INEC will not be allowed to insist on the use of SCRs for voter accreditation.
“The public are strongly advised to disregard false assurances that contradict the regulations that INEC has outlined for the elections,’’ it stated.
It reaffirmed that only voters with genuine PVCs should come out to the polling units on the election day, adding that guidelines issued on the use of SCRs for the Saturday elections would be strictly applied.
“Any action infringing these guidelines would be an electoral offence, and security agents would be on hand to apprehend offenders,’’ the statement added.
The statement lauded Nigerians for their peaceful conduct and exemplary behaviour, even in the face of minor challenges during the Presidential and National Assembly elections on March 28.
It, however, said it was unfortunate that some leaders would misguide the public and thereby prepare ground for needless disruptions to the polling process on Saturday.
“INEC hereby warns that any obstruction to the processes it has put in place for the elections by any person, no matter how highly placed, will constitute an electoral offence punishable by law,’’ it stated.
The statement also said the commission had assigned the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Kogi, Alhaji Hussaini Pai, to supervise the conduct of Saturday elections in Kano State.
The deployment, the statement explained, followed the demise of the former REC of the state, Alhaji Munkaila Abdullahi.
The statement recalled that before his posting as Kogi REC, Pai was the Ekiti State REC, who conducted the Governorship Election of June 21, 2014.
“In his absence, the REC for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Prof. Jacob Jatau, will supervise the Saturday conduct of the State Assembly election in Kogi,’’ the statement added.
