By Yomi Kareem
Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has expressed its readiness to finalize the document for the conduct of Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, as well as future elections, in its bid to deliver credible elections that will be acceptable to all.
Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the disclosure yesterday, during the second quarterly consultative meeting with media organisations held at INEC headquarters Abuja.
According to Prof. Yakubu; “Beyond the conduct of primaries by political parties, the Commission is required to make Regulations and Guidelines for the implementation of the provisions of the Electoral Act. I am glad to report that the Commission will finalise the document next week to guide the conduct of future elections, including the forthcoming Ekiti and Osun Governorship elections as well as the 2023 General Election.”
On the issue of election technology, the INEC boss maintained that the Commission has reviewed the functionality of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, and that the lessons learnt from the most recent bye-elections have been taken into consideration as it prepare for the forthcoming Ekiti and Osun State Governorship elections. Adding that INEC has finished the configuration of the BVAS for the Ekiti State governorship election and that to further ensure optimal performance of the BVAS on election day, the Commission will undertake a mock voter accreditation exercise in Ekiti State ahead of the main election on 18th June 2022
In his own remarks, the Nigerian Union of Journalists’ President, Chris Isiguzo, urged INEC not to disappoint Nigerians in the forthcoming 2023 general election and that the Commission should remain resolute and focused. Adding that, the new Electoral Act will go a long way in reshaping the country’s electoral process and shaping the country’s democracy for the best.
The NUJ President called on the social media operators to be cautious of what they churn out to the people by reporting with responsibility as the role of the media is very critical to the delivery of credible elections. He urged the media to support INEC and security agencies in achieving credible elections.
