The Senate Wednesday expressed shock on the issuance of Temporary Voters Card, TVC, to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State last week by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Consequently, it has begun a probe into allegations of double registration leveled against the governor.
The upper chamber has mandated its Committee on, INEC, to immediately carry out a holistic investigation and submit report at plenary for its consideration within two weeks.
Resolutions of the Senate Monday were sequel to a point of Order by Senator Mohammed Hassan, PDP, Yobe South.
Senator Hassan, who came under Order 43 of the Senate Standing Orders 2015 as Amended, said the investigation would help in sanitising the electoral system.
In his presentation, he said: “There is this situation going round regarding the governor of Kogi State. It was reported recently in the newspapers that the governor was involved in double registration in the voter registration exercise.
”Again, some days or weeks after, INEC held a press conference in which they confirmed getting three members of staff of INEC sacked.
“Now, we are concerned again. It was reported again by the newspapers that he had been issued another voter card from another ward.
”We are concerned about this and I think it is very important that the Senate Committee on INEC investigates and get to the root of this matter. It is very important.
“It was reported everywhere that he cannot be prosecuted because he has immunity but for the purpose of getting this picture very right, I think the Senate Committee on INEC should investigate this and get this matter right.”
Bukola Saraki, Senate President, who presided, said: “The issue that you’re talking about is one that is important because the stability of our democracy depends on the credibility of our electoral processes. And as such, we must ensure that the processes are always what we can be proud of, especially now that countries all over are looking up to our electoral processes.
“I am happy that the chairman of INEC is seated here. It is something that he could look into and come back to tell us where the issue is.”
INEC had last December dismissed two of its officials over their alleged roles in the electoral scam.
