INEC flags missing contact details in senator Natasha’s recall petition
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised concerns over the petition seeking the recall of suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing missing contact details from the petitioners.
In a statement on Tuesday, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education, Sam Olumekun, confirmed the commission had received six bags of documents containing signatures purportedly from more than half of the district’s 474,554 registered voters.
However, the petitioners failed to provide necessary contact details such as addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, which are required under INEC’s 2024 Recall Regulations and Guidelines.
The petition, submitted on Monday by Charity Ijese on behalf of constituents and received by INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony, listed only the lead petitioner’s phone number.
Additionally, the address provided—”Okene, Kogi State”—was deemed insufficient under INEC regulations.
INEC noted that the recall petition covered voters from five local government areas—Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, and Okene—spanning 902 polling units across 57 registration areas.
The commission emphasized that the recall process, governed by the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and its own guidelines, would proceed only if all requirements were met.
If deemed valid, the next step would be signature verification using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.
This process would be open to registered voters who signed the petition, with both petitioners and the senator allowed to appoint agents to observe.
Accredited media and observers would also be permitted.
INEC assured the public that it remains committed to due process and urged against misinformation.
It also indicated that, in the absence of full contact details, alternative means of notifying the petitioners were being considered.
The commission reiterated that once all legal requirements are satisfied, the next steps in the recall process will be announced.
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