With the adjudication of election petitions in full swing across the country, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that it can not expose some of the sensitive materials used in the conduct of the 2019 General elections. This statement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood represented by the National Commissioner and Chairman of Voter Education and Information Committee, Festus Okoye, at the 2019 Press Freedom Award held on Monday, 6th May 2019, in Abuja. It will be recalled that some political parties and their candidates, who are parties to election petitions have applied to the Courts for access to election materials in INEC’s custody.
As the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal commenced sitting on Wednesday, 8th May 2019, some women were reported to have been protesting against the alleged refusal of INEC to grant the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its Presidential Candidate access to materials used in the conduct of the elections, for inspection. The protest took place within the premises of the Court of Appeal Headquarters, Abuja, the venue of the Presidential Election Tribunal.