The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters to sanction erring Resident Electoral Commission (REC) whose action is capable of undermining law and order in the state.
CDD similarly called for the process as spelt out in the law to be followed to promptly declare the winner of the governorship election.
The director of CDD, Idayat Hassan, in a press release issued in Abuja said: “We call on all participants in the process and stakeholders across the state to remain calm and maintain the peace.
“We urge INEC to ensure prompt conclusion of the process in line with provisions of the Electoral Act and other extant guidelines.”
She said the CDD has been closely observing the supplementary election conducted on Saturday in Adamawa state.
She further said CDD observed with utmost concern the unhealthy twist of events involving the INEC REC who illegally took over the responsibility of the Returning Officer by declaring the result of the governorship election.
“CDD unequivocally condemns this brazen violation of the clear provisions of the Electoral Act 2022. The Electoral Act, 2022 make it abundantly clear in Section 25 (2f) that the returning officer shall announce the result and declare the winner of the election at the state collation centre in the case of election of a governor of a state.”
“It is an affront on the laid down procedure for the REC to have gone ahead to make the announcement when he is not empowered by the law to do so.
“Apart from the fact that such a step is patently illegal, the action of the REC is capable of provoking the breakdown of law and order in the state, considering the tense political atmosphere and given the inconclusive governorship poll and the subsequent supplementary poll.”
