2015 witnessed highest number of annulled elections – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission has said the 2015 general elections witnessed The highest number of annulled elections since the return of democracy in 1999.

Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, said this at a meeting he had with the Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said that out of this number, the courts had nullified a total of 81 elections, which were made of senatorial, House of Representatives and two governorship elections.

He said in addition to the nullified elections, some elections were also upturned.

Yakubu added that as at the end of last week, there were 15 of such cases, which he said the commission had complied with.

He said, "As at last week, the High court sitting nationwide have annulled a total of 81 elections – senatorial, House of Representatives and two governorship elections that will proceed to the supreme Court.

"In 2007, after the general elections in that year, a total of 20 elections were nullified; in 2011, 34 elections were nullified, making a total of 54 elections for a period between 2007 and 2011.

"But for the 2015 elections so far, 81 elections have been nullified, which is more than the two previous elections put together.

"But in addition to the nullified elections, some elections were upturned and the court ordered for the issue of certificate of return. As at the end of last week, there were 15 of such cases, which we have duly complied.

"So if you add the upturned elections and nullified elections so far, the number is 96."

He called on the RECs and other officers of the commission to come together to respond immediately to the decisions of the court to conduct these elections.

He said the commission had between 60 and 90 days from the days the elections were nullified to conduct the elections.

Yakubu said that the order of the courts implies that "we have latest, the middle of March to conduct the elections.

"So the first quarter of this year is going to be for the commission, like a mini-general elections. So this meeting is to review the situation and take wide range decisions."

Yakubu's meeting with RECs was the first since the new INEC boss assumed office on November 19, 2015.