The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has urged Senators-elect to commence and conclude work on the review of the electoral legal framework early, ahead of the 2023 General Elections.
INEC
chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the call on Thursday at a ceremony
for the Issuance of Certificate of Return to Senators-elect at the
International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Yakubu said that late
conclusion of the review of the electoral law would affect the
commission’s implementation of the framework.
He said that as a matter of urgency, the commission would begin work on post 2019 elections review and road map 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 importantly, in ensuring
adherence to the law.
“I want to assure you that we will continue to work with the National Assembly to review and strengthen our Electoral Law.
“But
I want to appeal to the Senators-elect to please start work early and
conclude work on the electoral framework in good time well ahead of the
2023 general elections.
“The tendency to delay electoral reform,
particularly the review of the electoral framework, until it is too
close to the elections, leaves 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 organise 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 sponsoring private member bills to advance the cause
of electoral reform,” he said.
The chairman said that the
commission looked forward to working very closely with the
senators-elect in deepening the country’s electoral process.
He congratulated the lawmakers for their election victory to serve the nation.
Among
those issued the certificate of return are: Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, Enugu
West (PDP); Mohammed Sabo, Jigawa South West (APC); Philip Aduda,
FCT(PDP) and Sen. Dino Malaiye Kogi West (PDP).
Others are Baba
Kaita, Kastina North (APC); Omo-Agege Ovie Delta Central(APC); Ibrahim
Gandam, Yobe North (APC); Abdul’Aziz Yari Zamfara North (APC); Kaura
Yahaya, Zamfara West(APC) and Ifeanyi Uba, Anambra South (YPP).
The issuance of Certificate of return to the members of the House of Representatives will commence at 2 p.m
Share your thoughts