The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it has not yet received Certified True Copies (CTCs) of recent Federal High Court rulings concerning the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the submission of President Bola Tinubu’s academic credentials.
INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan made this statement during a news conference focused on the voter register in Abuja on Monday. He addressed questions regarding a court order that invalidates the candidacy of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the leadership of the ADC, stating that the commission cannot act based on social media reports but must rely on verified legal documents.
Amupitan pointed out that as of now, the commission has not received the necessary Certified True Copy of the high court’s judgment, and he emphasized the importance of obtaining official legal documents before proceeding. He mentioned a previous Supreme Court case where misinformation had circulated on social media, leading the court to disassociate itself from the false claims.
Regarding the court ruling that requires him to present President Tinubu’s credentials, Amupitan reiterated the need to be formally served with the order before taking any legal actions. He noted that he would review the order upon receipt to determine the appropriate response.
Additionally, Amupitan discussed the topic of early voting for journalists and security officials, indicating that the proposal faced challenges due to existing statutory frameworks. He noted that although INEC initiated the process for early voting as part of the Electoral Act amendment, it did not get the necessary support from the National Assembly.
He also confirmed that 54 registration officers implicated in sabotaging voter registration procedures are full-time INEC staff. Amupitan emphasized the commission’s commitment to transparency and integrity, stating they would not cover up any wrongdoing.
On concerns surrounding AI-generated images in the voter register, he announced immediate technological upgrades to prevent future exploits and underscored the implementation of an Artificial Intelligence Governance Framework, developed in collaboration with international partners.
Amupitan warned that individuals participating in double registrations or other digital infractions would face criminal prosecution as investigations by security agencies continue.
