FRI, FEB 21 2020-theG&BJournal- Executives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) met today in Abuja to evaluate preparedness for the earlier scheduled Edo and Ondo States Governorship elections as well as preparations for upcoming bye- elections.
INEC earlier released the timetable and schedule of activities for the Edo and Ondo governorship elections to be held on 19th September 2020 and 10th October 2020 respectively. The electoral body has also released the timetable and schedule of activities for bye elections to fill vacancies in Magama/Rijau Federal Constituency in Niger State, Babura/Garki Federal Constituency in Jigawa State.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, members of National Commissioners, Secretary to the Commission, Chairman’s Technical Team and Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) attended the meeting held at the INEC Conference Hall Headquarters.
‘’As I welcome the Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) to this meeting, I wish to draw your attention to what you already know. Our major responsibility is the conduct of elections which must be free, fair and credible,’’ Prof. Yakubu said.
The INEC boss noted that the Commission has conducted elections into 28 constituencies by court order in 2020 alone.
“The reality in Nigeria today is that elections have become an all-year round activity for the Commission.’’
He reminded the officials that four bye-elections will be held in the next three weeks.
‘’Vacancies were declared in two Senatorial Districts yesterday. We are also awaiting declarations of vacancies for two more Senatorial Districts,’’ he said.
The Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) has been set up a committee in this respect. The inaugural meeting of the Committee will hold next week Wednesday.
INEC said critical changes will be introduced to strengthen its processes and procedures ahead of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections. The Commission, jointly with the security agencies is reviewing deployment during the elections.
‘’We have also been reviewing the reports from accredited observers as well as internal reports from state offices.
‘’We will continue to keep an eye on the conduct of our officials and apply appropriate sanctions on erring staff, both regular and ad-hoc,’’ INEC boss said.
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