…Notifies Of Anambra Guber Election
Prof Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has urged the National Assembly’s relevant committees to pass the current Electoral Act Amendment Bill as soon as possible.
Prof spoke at a Transcorp Hilton symposium on INEC convened by the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Thursday in Abuja.
He claims that hastening the bill’s passage will allow the commission to develop rules and regulations that will give the Act life and aid in the development of training manuals in time for the 2023 General Elections.
“The current Bill contains a number of clauses that require the Commission to provide unambiguous guidance.
With only 484 days till the General Election of 2023, time is running out.
The Commission has already scheduled three important elections for next year, in addition to the Anambra State Governorship election on November 6, 2021.
“The first is the Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on February 12, 2022, followed by the Ekiti Governorship election on June 18, 2022, and the Osun Governorship election on July 16, 2022.”
Three Federal Constituencies and two State Constituencies are among the five outstanding bye-elections that the Commission must deal with.
The INEC chief stated that the Commission will handle the challenges ahead by working with the national assembly.
Meanwhile, in accordance with the enabling law, the commission has issued notice for the Anambra State Governorship Election on November 6.
The Commission is required under Section 46 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) to give notice of the election no later than 14 days before the election day, specifying the date and hours of the poll, the persons eligible to vote, and the site of the exercise.
INEC also expressed satisfaction with the degree of preparation for the governorship election, according to a statement released by Barrister Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee.
“The Commission is satisfied with the current level of preparations. Virtually all non-sensitive materials have been delivered in readiness for the election.
” The training of ad-hoc staff is also going on as scheduled. The Commission is in touch with the National Peace Committtee under the Chairmanship of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd) GCFR. Preparations are underway for the signing of the Peace Accord in Awka on Thursday 4th November 2021.
“The Commission has also noted with appreciation, the role of religious, traditional and community leaders in Anambra State as well as civil society, socio-cultural associations and the media in appealing for peace during electioneering campaign and Election Day activities.
“With just a little over two weeks to the election, the Commission once again appeals for support from all and sundry in Anambra to ensure that the election will not only be peaceful but also free, fair and credible”.
