INEC releases fresh timetable for Melaye’s recall

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released another timetable for the recall of Dino Melaye, lawmaker representing Kogi west senatorial district.

Augusta C. Ogakwu, the commission’s secretary, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.

According to the new timetable, the recall process will commence on October 3, 2017, with the notice of verification.

The last day for the submission by observers will take place October 5, while the publication of the list of accredited observers will commence October 9.

The conduct of verification will take place on October 14 in all polling units in the district.

The commission had issued a timetable for the recall on July 3, but the lawmaker went to the court to challenge the bid to eject him from the upper legislative chamber.

Mike Ozekhome, his counsel, had asked an Abuja high court to issue an order of injunction restraining INEC from commencing the process.

The court eventually ruled in favour of Melaye and the electoral body complied with the directive.

But last week, a federal high court in Abuja asked INEC to proceed with the process of recalling the lawmaker from the senate.

Melaye’s travails started after INEC wrote to him on June 22 to inform him that it had received a petition from his constituents.

A total of 188,588 registered voters in Kogi west were said to have signed the petition for Melaye’s recall.

According to the electoral act, one-half of the number of registered voters in a constituency is required for the recall of a lawmaker.

There are 360,098 registered voters in Kogi west and 188,588 represents a little more than one-half required.