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INEC Has Begun Its Deadlines Violation and Internet "Mago-Mago"
by Mobolaji E. Aluko, PhD
Burtonsville, MD, USA
Dear Compatriots:
As we await, today March 8, INEC's official list of State Assembly and gubernatorial candidates, and on March 15, the Presidential and gubernatorial candidates' lists - particularly to see whether INEC will obey the courts of the land and NOT disqualify candidates without court order and thereby exclude names - I bring to your attention the following troubling information.
If you go to the URL:
you will see a large but slightly fuzzy picture of INEC Chairman Prof. Maurice Iwu (hands spread out). Below it, however, is an unintelligible "Time Table and Schedule of Activities for the 2007 General Elections," viz:.
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INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION |
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TIME TABLE AND SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITES FOR THE 2007 GENERAL ELECTIONS |
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1. |
Issuance of Notice of Elections - S.31 (1) Electoral Act |
Nov. 8, 2006 |
Electoral Act 2006 provides for |
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2006. |
notlaterthan150daysbefore |
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Election. |
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2. |
Collection of Forms Commences: |
Dec. 1,2006 |
No provision in the Electoral Act |
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F onn (CF 001) Affidavit/Personal particulars of candidates |
2006 |
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Fonn (CF002) Party's list ofCandrdates |
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I |
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3. |
Last day of Collection of Forms |
No provision in Electoral Act but |
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(a) |
Govcmorship/State Assembly Elections |
Dec. 14,2006 |
Forms must be submitted 120 days |
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(b) |
Presidential/National Assembly Elections |
Dec. 21, 2006 |
before the Elections |
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4. |
Last d11Y of Submission of personal particulars and |
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list of candidates by Political Parties S.32 (1) |
The Electoral Act provide for such |
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(a) |
Governorship/Statc Assembly Elections |
Dec. 15,2006 |
submission, not later than 120 days |
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(b) |
Presidential/National Asscmbly Elections |
Dec. 22, 2006 |
before the elections |
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5. |
Last day for publication of personal particulars |
Electoral Act provides for publication |
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of candidates - S. 32(3) |
within 7 days after submission of list |
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(a) |
Governorship/Statc fssembly Elections |
Dec. 22, 2006 |
of candidates by Political Parties |
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(b) |
Presidential/National Asscmbly Elections |
Dec. 29,2006 |
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6. |
Campaign by Political Parties in Public commences - S 101 (1) |
The Electoral Act provides that the |
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(a) |
Govcrnorship/StateAssemblyElcct
ions |
Jan142007 |
periodofcampaigningshaHcommence |
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90daysbeforePollingdayandends24 |
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(b) |
PresidcntiallNational Assembly Elections |
Jan. 21, 2007 |
hours prior to that day |
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7. |
Collection of Nomination Forms by Parties |
Jan. 15,2007 |
No provision in the Electoral Act 2006 |
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commences |
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8- |
- |
Last date for Return of Nomination Forms by |
Jan. 29,2007 |
Not provided for in the Electoral Act |
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PoliticaParties |
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• |
It may be the work of an incompetent webmaster, but there you have it.
Yet, luckily, on my NigerianmMuse website, I had reproduced a long while ago the correct schedule issued by INEC itself put on its same website - see
under its URL:
QUOTE
Time Table of Activities and Schedule for the 2007 General Elections:
http://www.inecnigeria.org
/newsview.php?newsid=195
After due consultation with the political Parties and other Stakeholders and with due regards to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and the Electoral Act 2006. The Independent National Electoral Commission has approved the following Time Table of Activities and Schedule for the 2007 General Elections:
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S/N |
ACTIVITY |
DATE |
REMARKS |
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1. |
Issuance of Notice of Polls-S.31(1) Electoral Act 2006 |
Nov. 8, 2006 |
Electoral Act provides for not later than 150 days before Election |
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2.
(i)
(ii) |
Collection of Forms commences:
Form (CF001) Affidavit/ personal particulars of candidates
Form (CF002) Party's list of candidates |
Dec.1, 2006 |
No provision in the Electoral Act |
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3.
(a)
(b) |
Last day for collection of forms
Governorship/State Assembly Elections
Presidential/National Assembly Elections |
Dec. 14, 2006
Dec. 21, 2006 |
No provision in Electoral Act but Forms must be submitted 120 days before the Elections. |
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4.
(a)
(b) |
Last day for submission of personal particulars and list of candidates by Political Parties-S.32(1)
Governorship/State Assembly Elections
Presidential/National Assembly Elections |
Dec.15, 2006
Dec.22, 2006 |
The Electoral Act provides for not later than120 days before a General Election. |
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5.
(a)
(b) |
Last day for publication of personal particulars of candidates-S.32(3)
Governorship/State Assembly Elections
Presidential/National Assembly Elections |
Dec. 22, 2006
Dec. 29, 2006
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Electoral Act provides for publication within 7 days after submission of list of candidates by Political Parties |
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6. |
Collection of Nomination Forms by Parties commences |
Jan.15, 2007 |
No provision in the Electoral Act 2006 |
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7. |
Last date for Return of Nomination Forms by Political Parties |
Jan. 29, 2007 |
Not provided for in the Electoral Act |
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8.
(a)
(b) |
Last date for withdrawal by candidates-S.36 (1)
Governorship/State Assembly Elections
Presidential/National Assembly Elections |
Feb.3, 2007
Feb.10, 2007
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The Electoral Act 2006 provides that the notice of withdrawal shall be conveyed to the Commission not later than 70 days to the Election. |
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9.
(a)
(b) |
Last date for change of candidates by Political Parties
Governorship/State Assembly Elections
Presidential/National Assembly Election |
Feb. 13, 2007
Feb. 20, 2007 |
The Electoral Act provides for 60 days before the date of the election |
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10.
(a)
(b) |
Last date for substitution after withdrawal-S.36(2)
Governorship/State Assembly Elections
Presidential/National Assembly Elections |
Feb. 13, 2007
Feb. 20, 2007 |
The Electoral Act 2006 provides that where the Commission is satisfied that the Candidate's withdrawal satisfies the provisions of section 36(2), the Political Party shall be allowed to nominate another candidate, not later than 60 days before the date of election.
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11.
(a)
(b) |
Publication of list of nominated candidates/ persons nominating them-S.35(1)
Governorship/State Assembly Elections
Presidential/National Assembly Elections |
March 8,2007
March15,2007 |
The Electoral Act 2006 provides that such publications shall be made at least 30 days before the day of the election. |
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(a)
(b) |
Publication of Notice of Polls-S.47
Governorship/State Assembly Elections
Presidential/National Assembly Elections |
March 24, 2007
March 31, 2007 |
The Electoral Act provides for a period not later than 14 days before the day of the election |
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13. |
(i) Last day for campaigns for
Governorship/StateHouse
sof Assembly Elections
(ii) Lastday forcampaigning
for Presidential/National Assemble Elections-S 104 |
April 13, 2007
April 20, 2007 |
The Act prohibits broadcasts or campaigns 24 hours preceding the day of polling-S.104(1) |
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13 |
(i) Governorship/State houses of Assembly Elections
(ii) Presidential/National Assembly Elections- S. 31(1) |
April 14, 2007
April 21, 2007
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The Act provides for at least 150 days commencing from the date the notice of polls is given to the date of election.
Run-offs (where applicable) for presidential and Governorship Elections to be announced |
NOTE: Run Offs for Presidential/Governorship Elections will be fixed at the time or shortly after the announcement of results.
Professor M.M. Iwu
UNQUOTE
In fact the old URL now reports on "INEC Missing computers:
Why the difference? Why change it? Noboody knows.
Finally, you will recall that that INEC is still operating the 2006 Electoral Act:
The recent amendments by the National Assembly (which shifted some dates to accomodate slippages by INEC) have NOT been signed into law by the President to our knowledge, and so the 2006 Act still applies. That means that INEC has already missed TWO CRITICAL DEADLINES.
The first is according to Section 27: "Not later than 60 days before GENERAL ELECTION, supplementary voters' list shall be integrated with the voters' register and published." February 21, 2007 has come and gone, and NOTHING has been published for anyone to see.
The second is according to Section 11(1)(b) of the Act, which statates that "within 60 days after the beginning of each year, INEC must make names, addresses of all registered persons during the previous year available to every political party." That means that on Thursday March 1 (or at least March 2, 2007), INEC should have made available ALL names registered in 2006 to the named parties, even if the latest registration exercise CONTINUED into 2007.
These two dates should NOT be confused with the one of March 31, 2007, spelt out by Section 47, which states that 14 days before Guber/SASS Elections Day "INEC shall publish (a) day/hours fixed for poll (b) people entitled to vote; and (c) location of polling stations."
Finally, may I invite you to look closely at this: "Full Chronological Implications of Announced Electoral Time-Table " according to Electoral Act 2006, and understand that until and unless the President SIGNS the amended Electoral Act, INEC is IN VIOLATION of MANY of the deadlines shown, and could be sued for wrongful election management.
Is there a method to this election madness? Inquring minds want to know.
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Date |
Event |
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2006 |
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Wednesday
May 31 |
Electoral Law 2006 [Harmonized]
passed by National Assembly |
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Tuesday
June 6 |
Assent by President Obasanjo |
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Tuesday,
August 29 |
INEC announces Voter Registration & Election Dates
{ie October 7, 2006 for begin of voter registration;
April 14, 2007 for Guber/SASS Elections;
April 21, 2007 for Prez/NASS Elections} |
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Thursday
August 31 |
Deadline for INEC to submit
Budget for activities for following
Year 2007 [Section 6(1) of Electoral Act 2006 (EA2006)] |
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Thursday, October 7 |
Voter (Re-)Registration to Begin |
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Saturday, October 14 |
6 months days before GENERAL ELECTION GE (ie April 14, 2007):
1. Political parties intending to be registered must submit their applications not later than six months before GE [Section 78(1)]
1. Political parties intending to merge must give six months notice to INEC before GE [Section 84(2)] |
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Thursday, November 16 |
150 days before Guber/SASS Elections Day:
1. Not later than 150 days before this election day,
INEC must publish date of election and where nomination papers are to be delivered [Section 31(1)] |
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Thursday, November 23 |
150 days before Prez/NASS Elections Day:
1. Not later than 150 days before this election day,
INEC must publish date of election and where nomination papers are to be delivered [Section 31(1)] |
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Friday, December 15 |
120 days before Guber/SASS Election Day
1. Registration of voters that will vote not later than 120 days before this election day [Section 10(5)]…..but
registration must continue [since it is continuous; Section 10(1)]
2. Party must submit list of candidates to INEC not later than 120 days before Guber/SASS Election Day [Section 32(1)]
3. INEC must publish particulars within 7 days after receipt . [Section 32(3)] |
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Friday, December 22 |
120 days before Prez/SASS Election Day
1. Registration of voters that will vote not later than 120 days before this election day [Section 10(5)]…..but registration must continue [since it is continuous; Section 10(1)]
2. Party must submit list of candidates to INEC not later than 120 days before this election day [Section 32(1)]
3. INEC must publish particulars within 7 days after receipt .
[Section 32(3)] |
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2007 |
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Sunday, January 14 |
90 days before Guber/SASS Elections Day:
1. Parties to submit audited account [Section 89(1)]
2. Public campaign by parties can begin; to last only 90 days and end 24 hours to poll opening [Section 101(a)] |
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Sunday, January 21 |
90 days before Prez/NASS Elections Day:
1. Parties to submit audited account [Section 89(1)]
2. Public campaign by parties can begin; to last only 90 days and end 24 hours to poll opening [Section 101(a)] |
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Sunday, February 4 |
70 days before Guber/SASS Elections Day:
1. Candidate can withdraw his candidature [Section 36(1)] |
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Sunday, February 11 |
70 days before Prez/NASS Elections Day:
1. Candidate can withdraw his candidature [Section 36(1)] |
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Wednesday, February 21 |
60 days before GENERAL ELECTION:
1. Not later than 60 days before GENERAL ELECTION,
supplementary voters' list shall be integrated
with the voters' register and published [Section 21]
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Wednesday, February 21 |
1. Parties can signify intent to change its candidate not later than 60 days before Guber/SASS [Section 34(1)]
2. Party can change a withdrawn candidate not
later than 60 days before Guber/SASS [Section 36(2)] |
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Wednesday, February 28 |
1. Parties can signify intent to change its candidate not later than 60 days before Prez/NASS [Section 34(1)]
2. Party can change a withdrawn candidate not
later than 60 days before Prez/NASS [Section 36(2)] |
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Thursday, March 1 |
Within 60 days after each year:
1. INEC must make names, addresses of all registered persons during 2006 available to every political party [Section 11(1)(b)] |
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Thursday March 15 |
30 days before Guber/SASS Elections Day
1. INEC to publish by display full names of all candidates standing nominated [Section 35]
2. No duplicate voter's card issued on polling day or within 30 days of Guber/SASS Elections Day [Section 19(3)] |
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Thursday March 22 |
30 days before Prez/NASS Elections Day
1. INEC to publish by display full names of all candidates standing nominated [Section 35]
2. No duplicate voter's card issued on polling day or within 30 days of Prez/NASS Elections Day [Section 19(3)] |
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Saturday, March 31 |
14 days before Guber/SASS Elections Day
1. INEC shall publish (a) day/hours fixed for poll (b) people entitled to vote; and (c) location of polling stations. [See Section 47]
2. Election tribunals shall be set up not later than 14 days before Guber/SASS Elections Day [Section 140(3)] |
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Saturday,
April 7 |
14 days before Prez/NASS Elections Day
1. INEC shall publish (a) day/hours fixed for poll (b) people entitled to vote; and (c) location of polling stations. [See Section 47]
2. Election tribunals shall be set up not later than 14 days before Prez/NASS Elections Day [Section 140(3)] |
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Tuesday March 27 |
7 days before PED:
1. Each political party to submit names and addresses of its polling agents [Section 46(1)] |
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Friday,
March 30 |
60 days before H-OD
1. Presidential elections cannot be held earlier than this date (by 1999 Constitution) |
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Friday,
April 13 |
Guber/SASS Public campaign ends on this day |
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Saturday,
April 14 |
Gubernatorial/State Assembly Election Day |
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???????????? |
Gubernatorial/State Assembly Results Announced when? Date of announcement uncertain |
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Friday,
April 20 |
Prez/NASS Public campaign ends on this day |
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Saturday,
April 21 |
Prez/NASS Election Day |
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???????????? |
Prez/NASS Results Announced when?
Date of announcement uncertain |
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???????????? |
Guber/SASS Election petitions to be filed by this date {within 30 days of results declaration [Section 141]} |
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???????????? |
Prez/NASS Election petition to be filed by this date {within
30 days of results declaration [Section 141]} |
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???????????? |
Run-off # 1: 7 days after Prez/Guber Results are announced
Date of announcement uncertain |
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Election petition against Run-off #1 can be filed within 30
days for results declaration [Section 141] |
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???????????? |
Run-off # 2: within 14 days after Prez/Guber Run-off # 1 announced
Date of announcement uncertain |
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Election petition can be filed within 30 days
for results declaration of Run-off # 2 [Section 141] |
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Sunday,
April 29 |
30 days before Handover-Date
1. Presidential elections cannot be held later
than this date (by 1999 Constitution) |
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Tuesday,
May 29 |
Hand-Over Date (HOD) to New Administration |
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Authors 
Posted by Robot| 08.03.2007 08:20