Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu has assured the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions (FOSIECON) of the Commission’s cooperation beyond technical assistance, capacity building, and knowledge sharing.
At a meeting with FOSIECON executives at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja, Yakubu emphasized the importance of adhering to the Electoral Act 2022, particularly sections 98 to 113, which outline the procedure for Area Council Elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and local government elections across the country.
Prof. Yakubu highlighted INEC’s role in providing essential support to State Electoral Commissions, including making available the current register of voters, creating and allotting voters to polling units, and providing the list of political parties for local government elections.
He noted that INEC has always discharged these responsibilities promptly and will continue to do so.
The INEC Chairman also stressed the significance of local government elections in Nigeria’s democratic development, citing the FCT as a model where elections have been conducted regularly without caretaker committees. He expressed hope for discussing ways to improve the quality of local government elections through partnership between INEC and SIECs.
Yakubu drew attention to a recent Supreme Court judgment emphasizing the need for state electoral commissions to serve mandatory statutory notices long before elections. He criticized a recent announcement by a state electoral commission giving only 21 days’ notice, calling it a violation of the law and impractical for conducting credible elections.
The INEC Chairman urged FOSIECON to convey the importance of complying with statutory timelines to its members, ensuring credible and transparent local government elections across the country.
Speaking earlier, the FOSIECON’s National Chairman, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri emphasized FOSIECON’s commitment to promoting electoral integrity, transparency, and closer synergy with INEC.
Eri, who is also the Chairman of the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission, highlighted the need for technical assistance, capacity building, and knowledge sharing to improve the conduct of local government elections.
The FOSIECON Chairman appealed for financial autonomy for SIECs, citing the financial constraints faced by many states in conducting elections.
He emphasized that INEC’s support and guidance would enable SIECs to play a stronger role in deepening democratic values and participation at the subnational level.
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