INEC can handle LG poll- Yakubu
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says it is ready and capable of handling local government election in Nigeria.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the INEC chairman, said this on Thursday, when he appeared before the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters to discuss preparations for the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.
Yakubu , however, said the INEC’s ability to manage local government elections is contingent upon a change in the law to empower it to do so.
He cited the Federal Capital Territory, where INEC has successfully conducted area council elections, as an example of its capability.
The INEC Chairman highlighted several benefits of having the commission handle local government elections, including the assurance of timely elections, tenure stability, and the absence of caretaker committees.
He said that in the Federal Capital Territory, no political party has ever swept all seats in an election, unlike in most states.
Yakubu reiterated that INEC’s involvement in local government elections can only be achieved through a constitutional amendment that transfers the responsibility from state electoral commissions.
He stressed that this change is necessary to ensure the integrity and fairness of local government elections.
Yakubu said that the current system, where state electoral commissions handle local government elections, has been marred by controversies and irregularities.
He said that INEC’s involvement would bring about a level of professionalism and impartiality to the process.
Yakubu asserted that INEC taking charge of local government elections will be a welcome development. Ends
