INEC SETS UP THREE MAN COMMITTEE TO PROBE ALLEGED POLLS IRREGULARITIES IN RIVERS

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), today established a three-man ‎committee to look into alleged irregularities in the elections conducted in Rivers State on Saturday.

To chair the committee is the Supervisory National Commissioner for Rivers State, Mrs. Thelma Iremirem, and Col. M.K Hammanga together  with Professor Lai Olurode, as members.

According to a statement issued by Secretary to the commission, Augusta Ogakwu, at the National Collation Centre for the Presidential Election in Abuja, the inauguration

of the committee became necessary consequent upon calls for the cancellation of the elections in the state by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ogakwu, who confirmed that members of the committee had left for a fact-finding ‎mission to the state and were expected to submit their report before the end of collation of results of other states and the Federal Capital Territory, maintained that INEC would make its decision known after receiving the report of the fact-finding committee.

According to the statement, "Further to the allegation made by the All Progressives Congress on the conduct of the presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday, 28th March, 2015, in Rivers State and its call for the cancellation of the exercise, the Independent National Electoral Commission has set up a fact-finding mission to ascertain the veracity of the claims and allegations and to advise the commission and the Chief Electoral Commissioner/Returning Officer for the presidential elections.

"The committee of National Electoral Commissioners‎ comprises comprises the following:

"I. Mrs. Thelma Iremirem, Head and the Supervisory National Commissioner for Rivers State

"II. Col. M.K Hammanga – Member

"IIIm Prof. Lai Olurode – Member.

"They have departed for Rivers State and it is expected that they will submit their report before the end of the collation of results of the other states and the FCT.

"Following the consideration of the report, the commission will make its decision known."

Photo credit: The Punch