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Local government

INEC Chairman Calls for Improved Quality and Credibility in Local Government Elections

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has emphasized the importance of improving the quality and credibility of local government elections across the country. Speaking at a meeting with the executive members of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON), Prof. Yakubu stressed that local government elections form the foundation of democratic governance and grassroots development. He called on State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) to align their operations with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and to respect statutory timelines in the conduct of elections.

Key Takeaways:

  • Prof. Yakubu emphasized the importance of improving the quality and credibility of local government elections.
  • He called on SIECs to align their operations with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
  • The INEC Chairman stressed that local government elections form the foundation of democratic governance and grassroots development.
  • Prof. Yakubu warned that conducting local government elections without serving the mandatory statutory notice long before the election is unlawful and impractical.
  • He urged FOSIECON to communicate the Supreme Court's judgment to all member commissions and ensure full compliance going forward.
  • Prof. Yakubu emphasized the importance of proper planning and respect for statutory timelines in the conduct of elections.
  • The INEC Chairman reaffirmed INEC's commitment to providing technical assistance, capacity building, and knowledge sharing to support the SIECs.
  • He emphasized the need for SIECs to strive to conduct elections in the same transparent manner that INEC does in the FCT.

Statistics:

  • 360 days is the timeframe for INEC to release the timetable for Area Council elections in the FCT.
  • 21 days is the timeframe recently used by some state electoral commissions for local government polls.
  • 2 years, 6 months, and potentially 10 days (counting from the date published in the text 'slated for February 2026') is the period between the FCT's Area Council election release and the scheduled election date.

Sources:

  • "INEC Chairman Calls for Improved Quality and Credibility in Local Government Elections" ( Emphasis on original text )
  • Electoral Act 2022
  • Supreme Court Judgment

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