By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu has said that the most effective way of ensuring greater representation for women and other marginalised groups in the legislative assemblies is affirmative action supported by clear legal provision, as is the case in many jurisdictions.
Yakubu said this on Wednesday while playing host to the leader of the Women’s Collective, Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo and other members of the group in his office in Abuja.
This, according to him, called for the amendment of sections of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022.
Accordingly, the INEC Chairman explained that the ongoing review of the Constitution and the Electoral Act offers an opportunity to engage with the nation’s lawmakers for appropriate legislative action.
He revealed that the matter is back on the legislative agenda.
According to the INEC Chairman, “For elective representation, the Commission believes that the most effective way of ensuring greater representation for women and other marginalised groups in the legislative assemblies is affirmative action supported by clear legal provision as was the case in many jurisdictions.
“This calls for the amendment of sections of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022. “Accordingly, the ongoing review of the Constitution and the Electoral Act offers an opportunity to engage with our lawmakers for appropriate legislative action. Happily, the matter is back on the legislative agenda.
“At our retreat early this year with members of the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Electoral Matters, we supported the amendment that will ensure greater representation of women in elective positions”, he said.
Continuing, Prof Yakubu stated, “INEC is an equal opportunities organisation. We believe in inclusivity both in the workplace and in the discharge of our extensive responsibilities as an Election Management Body.
“Today, 12 out of 22 Departments and Directorates of the Commission are headed by women. This means that 55% of the Directors at the Headquarters here in Abuja are women.
“Across the States of the Federation, many of our substantive Administrative Secretaries, who are also Directors, are women.
“With regard to the electoral process, we have a gender policy which is periodically revised and updated.
“We have also established a Department of Gender and Inclusivity for the promotion of greater access for marginalised and under-represented groups in the electoral process. “Similarly, in our consultative meetings with political parties, we have consistently urged them to ensure greater representation for under-represented groups in party leadership. “Many of them have responded positively, although much work needs to be done”, he stressed.
While saying that INEC welcomes consistent advocacy for women’s participation and representation in political party leadership as well as elective representation in Nigeria, Yakubu said, “You should continue to count on the Commission’s support at all times”
