Certificate Scandal: HEDA urges INEC to adhere strictly to Electoral Act

By Adeleye Kunle

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda Resource Centre (HEDA Resource Centre) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and its Guidelines, Track News reports.

The appeal was made in the midst of controversies surrounding the availability, validity, or otherwise of certificates of candidates seeking elective positions in the country.

This is stated in a statement signed by the Chairman of HEDA, Mr Olanrewaju Suraju, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday.

Suraju urged the INEC chairman not to be distracted or intimidated by individuals or corporations who fail to meet the requirements and provisions of the Electoral Act in the run-up to the general elections.

According to him, the political class uses a variety of rhetoric to persuade voters to vote for them.

“We are not unaware of every shady scheme and shenanigans by some politicians regarding their eligibility or otherwise to run for various positions.”

“We have seen various unfounded moonlight tales told by either elected or appointed officials about the whereabouts of their credentials and how the court decided those matters.”

“As a leading anti-corruption organization and non-partisan Human Rights and Development League, we urge INEC to follow the provisions of the Electoral Act and its guidelines,” Suraju stated.

He urged the Commission to reject candidates’ submission of affidavits in lieu of certificates due to several controversies surrounding affidavit swearing that are well known to the Commission.

He stated that an affidavit cannot replace an institution’s certificate because it only contains facts that the deponent believes to be true and cannot be used in place of primary evidence.

“We have been closely following the developments surrounding political parties’ submission of candidate names and credentials lists for the 2023 general elections.”

“The most recent news is of candidates claiming that their school certificates have gone missing.”

“Nigerians will not be intimidated by malicious and deceptive claims from the political class.”

“We believe that the commission’s guidelines on certificate presentation to political parties and the public in preparation for the 2023 general elections are clear enough.”

The anti-corruption crusader stated that no one is above the law and that everyone, regardless of social class, is expected to strictly follow the provisions of the law.

He stated that it is common knowledge that anyone who claims to have misplaced his/her certificate or transcript can always apply to the awarding institution for the issuance of a duplicate or Certified True Copy of the certificate or transcript.

“We demand that your commission notify all affected candidates and their parties of the invalidity of affidavits submitted by some candidates in the upcoming elections.”

“Failure to carry out this statutory responsibility will leave HEDA with no choice but to seek an order restraining your Commission from recognizing such candidates from a competent court of jurisdiction.”

He praised the Commission for listening to public outcries about the extension of new voter registration.

He stated that the gesture demonstrates the Commission’s commitment to a free and fair election in which the greatest number of eligible voters are free to exercise their franchise.

“We commend INEC and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring good governance in Nigeria, as well as our unwavering support for a free and fair election in Nigeria,” he added.

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