The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Sunday stated that it was taking note and compiling judgements at various electoral tribunals.
The Commission, however, added that it would not be able to take action now until 21 days on the outcome of tribunal judgements.
The Commission’s national commissioner and chairman, information and voter education committee, Mr. Festus Okoye, who said theses, stressed that “law allows the Commission to stay action for 21days as the aggrieved party has 21 days within which to appeal.”
Okoye said, “The Commission is harvesting, compiling and studying the judgements of the various Tribunals across the country. Some of the tribunals nullified some elections and ordered reruns in some polling units, electoral wards and constituencies. Some of the Tribunals gave the Commission 30 to 90 days to comply with the judgements.
However, Section 143 of the Electoral Act 2010(as amended) obligates the Commission to stay action for 21days as the aggrieved party has 21 Day’s within which to appeal. The aggrieved candidate remains in the office within the said period.
“The Commission will, within the constitutional and electoral framework, give effect to the judgements of all the Election Petitions Tribunals.”
He also said, “The resident electoral commissioners are closely monitoring proceedings in all the Tribunals and we have regular updates from our in-house lawyers and external solicitors.
“We are committed to our electoral responsibilities and will at all times keep Nigerians informed of our activities.”