From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
As the recall process of the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye commences on Saturday this week, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has engaged the services of over 1656 adhoc staff to assist in the conduct of the verification exercise.
This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Resident Electoral Commissioner in charge of Kogi State, Prof, James Apam, in Lokoja while addressing journalists on the level of preparation by his commission ahead of the recall exercise.
He noted that INEC was acting on the petition submitted to the commission by Malaye’s constituents in line with the provisions of the 1999 constitution as contained in sections 69 and 110 and section 116 of the Electoral act (as amended) which provides that a petition for recall shall be presented to the Chairman of INEC by Representatives of the petitioner .
According to the REC, the petition shall be signed by more than half of the people registered to vote in the constituency of the Member sought to be recalled, alleging loss of confidence in that member.
He further added that the names, voter identification Number and signatories of the petitioners shall be arranged according to polling units in the constituency of the Member.
Speaking on the delay in the process, which kick started last year, Apam said while INEC in line with the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act was in the process of initiating the recall, the Senator secured a court injunction halting the process from the court of appeal.
He said the verification will commence by 8:00 on the appointed date and end at 2:00am in the polling units in the senatorial district, provided that all the petitioners are on the queue by 2:00 pm.
The REC stressed that only those who signed the petition are expected to turn up at their polling units for the verification exercise, saying those who are not signatories to the petition has no business being at the polling units.
He maintained that the petition would only be said to have been verified if at least 50% plus one of the signatures or thumb prints of the registered voters in the constituency are verified.
