By Yomi Kareem
Ahead of the 2023 general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has urged the Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs, to study the Electoral Act thoroughly, as credible election is anchored on law.
He made the appeal during the second regular quarterly Consultative meeting with the RECs in the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja over the weekend.
According to him; “This is our first meeting since the coming into force of the Electoral Act 2022. I urge you to thoroughly study the new law. A credible election is anchored on the law.
“As you are aware, the Electoral Act, together with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and our Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, constitute the electoral legal framework for elections. As election managers, it is incumbent upon us to familiarise ourselves with the legal framework.
“As you are all aware, the Commission released the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election a day after the Electoral Act 2022 was signed into law. The next activity under the Timetable is the conduct of party primaries by political parties.
“So far, 14 parties have submitted their notices and schedule of primaries to the Commission. As required by law, the Commission shall monitor the primaries in the constituencies where the parties intend to field candidates. This means that the State offices will be heavily involved in the exercise,” he said.
Prof. Yakubu also reminded political parties that by the provision of Sec. 77 of the Electoral Act 2022, each party is required to maintain a membership register in hard and soft copy and to make such register available to the Commission not later than 30 days before the date fixed for primaries, congresses and conventions.
