INEC Sets Timeline For Melaye’s Recall

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released timetable and schedule of activities for the recall of Senator Dino Melaye, the senator representing Kogi West Senatorial district.

The timeline released last night runs from July 10 through August 15 when the outcome of INEC verification would be made public.

INEC, in the release signed by Augusta Ogakwu, secretary of the commission, said the electoral umpire is undertaking the exercise in line with powers conferred on it by relevant sections of the 1999 constitution, as amended, and the Electoral Act as amended.

It would be recalled that constituents of Kogi West Senatorial district recently submitted names of signatories spoiling for the recall of the embattled senator.

According to the timetable, INEC will on July 10 paste notice of the verification at INEC constituency office to formally draw Melaye’s attention to the impending exercise.

July 31 was fixed as last day for the submission of application of interested observers at INEC office in Abuja while August 10 is last day for both petitioners and Melaye to submit names of verification agents.

This will be done via a letter to the REC indicating polling units, LGAs where designated verification and collation agents will work.

This will be followed on August 15 by a stakeholders’ meeting to conducted at INEC state office preparatory for the verification proper slated for August 19.

The outcome of the exercise would also be announced same day.

INEC said it will thereafter issue release for conduct of referendum subject to the outcome of the verification exercise.