Politics
ELECTORAL REFORM: INEC promises to work with National Assembly
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has promised to work hand in hand with the National Assembly in order to review and strengthen the nation’s electoral laws.
Chairman of the commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, stated this on Thursday at the presentation of Certificate of Return to Senators-elect in Abuja.
According to Yakubu, the commission will also immediately commence work on the aftermath of the 2019 general elections and roadmap for the 2023 general elections.
The INEC boss also explained that the tendency to delay electoral reform particularly the review of electoral framework till close to elections, had most often left the commission with little time to develop processes, including regulations and guidelines.
He said: “As a matter of urgency, the commission will begin work on post-2019 elections review and roadmap to 2023. There is a lot of work, but very little time available.
“As a process governed by law, the success of election in Nigeria depends, to a large extent, on the electoral legal framework and most importanly in ensuring adherence to the law.
Read also: Give me my certificate of return with immediate effect, Okorocha tells INEC
“I want to assure you that we will continue to work with the National Assembly to review and strength our electoral law.
“But I want to appeal to the senators-elect to please start work early and conclude work on electoral framework in a good time well ahead of the 2023 general elections.
“The tendency to delay electoral reform particularly, the review of electoral framework until it is too close to the elections, leave the commission with little time to develop processes including regulations and guidelines, make required consultation with stakeholders, embark on effective voter education including sensitisation, train staff and organised deployment for the elections.
“I am glad that among the senators-elect are senators that we have worked very closely with and some of them have taken initiative or even sponsored private member bills to advance the cause of electoral reform.
“We look forward to working very closely with you in the next (9th) Senate. However, all these are matters to be considered; I hope we will do so in earnest.”
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