INEC boss Yakubu says electoral process in Nigeria is ‘problematic and confusing’

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has bemoaned the electoral process in Nigeria, describing it as being ‘problematic and confusing’.

Yakubu stated this when he spoke at the 12th National Delegates Conference of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria which took place in Jos, Plateau State capital.

Speaking at the event, INEC chairman who was represented by the commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said:

“When nominations are hazy and issues go to the courts, court judgments, orders and pronouncements affect procurement – the printing of ballot papers and result sheets.

“It is important to put in place a legal regime that allows for the disposal of all pre-elections matters at least 60 days before the elections.

READ ALSO: 2019 GENERAL ELECTIONS: INEC officials recall near death experiences in Rivers

“Removing the names and logos of political parties and changing the names of parties’ candidates up until the eve of election, on account of court orders and pronouncements, is very problematic and confusing.

“This puts the electoral management body on edge, with a profound impact on the conduct of elections”, he lamented.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now