2023: Regulations, Guidelines will be ready in 10 months – INEC Chairman
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says the regulations and guidelines for the 2023 general election will be ready in ten months.
Yakubu gave a hint when he received a delegation from John D and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation in Abuja.
MarcArthur Foundation Team led by the President, John Palfrey paid a courtesy visit to the Commission and they were received by the Hon. Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and Members of the Commission at the Commission’s Headquarters, Abuja. pic.twitter.com/f7ZmcaNm7G
— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) March 21, 2022
The Constraints
The INEC Chairman said in 2019; the Commission was constrained by time because of the uncertainty that trailed the electoral legal framework.
He said that he saw the Commission signed off on the Regulations and Guidelines on Jan. 19, 2019, weeks before the election.
“But we hope that this time around, we will sign off on the regulations and guidelines at least 10 months before the next general election, which is excellent progress for us.”
The Electoral Bill
Speaking further on the Commission’s source of power to develop the guidelines and regulations, the INEC Chairman said the commission was happy with the assent of President Muhammadu Buhari to the Electoral Bill.
“We now have a new electoral law, on the bases of which we began work on the regulations and guidelines.
“Electoral Act cannot say everything, so the National Assembly donates part of its power to INEC to make Regulations and Guidelines. These Regulations and Guidelines have forms of subsidiary legislation.
Electoral Project Plan
He further disclosed that INEC had virtually finished the processes.
“Our Election Project Plan (EPP) is ready and about to be published; the Strategic Plan is already completed and published.
“We also publish and gazette the guidelines and send the three documents to the stakeholders and the public next month.”
MacArthur’s Commendation/ Mission
The President of John D and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, John Palfrey, congratulated INEC for its successes in areas where it made recommendations after the 2019 general election.
He said the foundation could visit in 2019 and discussed with INEC several things underway at that time.
“One was the progress of the Electoral Act, and I’d like to congratulate you on passaging the Electoral Act.
“Second, we discussed and encouraged the creation of a new department on Gender and Inclusivity here at INEC and congratulated you on creating this department and the successful implementation.
“The third thing we discussed was the creation of new polling units, and I understand that you have completed these and are well prepared for 2023.”
Palfrey explained that their mission at the Commission was to learn more about INECs plans for the 2023 general election.
“We also thank you for your leadership at the international level and for your partnership with us as we seek to ensure government accountability and anti-corruption in countries worldwide, focusing particularly on Nigeria.”
President Muhammadu Buhari signed the electoral act amendment bill into law on Feb. 25. The legislation was transmitted to the president on Jan. 31 after both chambers of the national assembly had reworked it.
The President had initially rejected the bill after the national assembly made direct primary compulsory for political parties in the country.
The president said the provision “violates the spirit of democracy.”
On that basis, the senate and house of representatives reworked the bill to provide for indirect and direct primary and consensus candidates.
NAN/Temitope O.
