INEC, NASS to partner on Electoral Act Amendment Bill
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has pledged to partner with the National Assembly to ensure speedy passage of the Electoral Act amendment bill.
INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said this at a consultative meeting with labour unions and professional associations on the expansion of voters’ access to polling units in Nigeria in Abuja.
Prof Yakubu said the National Assembly has given the assurance that all the required work on the amendment of the Electoral Act will be concluded within the next few months.
“This is critical to our work because it is the legal framework that governs our activities. let me once again appeal to the National Assembly for expeditious consideration and passage of the Bill.” He said.
Prof. Yakubu revealed that the Commission was also in the process of engaging with the leadership of the National Assembly over the division, revision and alteration of electoral constituencies in Nigeria.
“The Commission’s discussion paper on the matter is being finalized.” He stated.
In continuation of its efforts to build a broad national consensus over the proposed expansion of voter access to polling units, Prof. Yakubu told representatives of professional bodies and labour unions that the idea was aimed at addressing the crisis of voter access to polling units across the country.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of previous consultations with other stakeholder groups, describing it as encouraging. He assured that all inputs received would assist the Commission in formulating the Guidelines for the implementation of the policy.
Hs said: “We are encouraged by the outcome of the consultations held so far. These consultations are helping us in formulating the Guidelines on the option preferred by stakeholders as we proceed to the implementation stage which will also involve further consultations in the field.”
Bye-Elections
On the upcoming bye-elections, Prof. Yakubu reassured stakeholders in three states where constituencies bye-elections would hold that the commission was ready.
“Over the next three weeks, the Commission will conduct bye-elections in three States of the federation, starting with Ekiti East State Constituency 1 this weekend, followed by the Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency bye-election in Abia State on 27th March 2021 and then the Isoko North State Constituency in Delta State on 10th April 2021.
“We wish to assure the registered voters and all stakeholders in the affected constituencies that the Commission is ready for these bye-elections.
“Again, like all the elections held since August last year, results from the Polling Units will be uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) for public view in real-time on Election Day.” He said.
Zainab Sa’id
