Senate summons Jega on polls shift

• INEC to demonstrate Card Readers for lawmakers

Senate yesterday summoned Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega to brief lawmakers on extension of the general elections by six weeks.

Jega is expected to brief Senators at plenary by 11:00a.m. today.

However, Senate President, David Mark refused to approve a request by Minority Leader, George Akume to also summon the service chiefs on their letter to the electoral commission that they could not guarantee security for the duration of the polls.

Senate’s resolution to meet with Jega emanated from a motion by Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) through Orders 42 (2) and 52 of the Senate Standing Orders (2011, as amended).

Ndoma-Egba noted that while the INEC chairman had assured Nigerians that elections would hold as scheduled before the service chiefs later complained of insecurity, Senate should summon INEC on its preparedness for the new dates for the elections.

“Critical issues on the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) and card readers contravene the Electoral Act. Therefore, Senate should invite the INEC on its preparedness for the elections and secondly, the commission should demonstrate use of the card reader before the Senate.”

Mark put the question to vote and there was no single nay against the Leader’s motion.

However, attempts by Minority Leader, George Akume to amend the motion, which would see the chamber inviting the service chiefs to brief lawmakers alongside Jega did not succeed.

Akume said, “in inviting Jega, we should also invite those who wrote to him that they couldn’t guarantee security for the election because he had earlier said he was ready for the polls.”

Mark was having none of it. He replied Akume: “I think the proper procedure is to allow Jega come before inviting the service chiefs. We will meet with him today because we want him to come with the card reader.

“Those who have their PVCs should come with their cards because the card readers would be here.”