Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the body can conduct competent local government elections.
News About Nigeria reports that this comes on the heels of the Supreme Court’s decision granting financial autonomy to local governments.
Yakubu expressed confidence in INEC’s ability to successfully conduct these elections, citing their experience in conducting hitch-free elections in the Federal Capital Territory.
However, he noted that state governments currently oversee local government elections, which has led to criticisms of bias towards ruling parties.
Yakubu stated that INEC can replicate its success in the FCT across all 774 local government areas, pending amendments to electoral laws.
In addition, Yakubu highlighted INEC’s technological advancements and assured that the commission has learned from past experiences, such as the malfunctions during the 2023 presidential election.
He also expressed gratitude for the executive’s commitment to funding by-elections and urged lawmakers to expedite the passage of the Electoral Offenders Bill, which would grant INEC the power to address electoral malfeasance.
For the September 21, 2024, Edo governorship poll and the November 16, 2024, Ondo governorship election, the INEC boss urged Nigerians to appreciate the tremendous technological improvements of the commission.
He ruled out frequent malfunctions of the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal that characterised the 2023 presidential election, maintaining that the commission has learnt its lessons.
He further explained that the commission has no fears regarding the funding for off-cycle elections, as the executive has pledged to release funds for the seven by-elections before the commission.
Again, Mahmood appealed to the lawmakers to speedily pass the Electoral Offenders Bill under the current Assembly to empower the commission with the capacity and resources to effect arrests, thoroughly investigate electoral offences and mitigate electoral malfeasance.
