INEC creates additional departments ahead major off cycle guber elections

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Thursday reviewed and realigned some of its departments for improved effectiveness and efficient management of its human resources and assets.
The review and realignment of departments is coming on the heel of the Commission’s preparation for major off cycle governorship elections and the 2023 general election.
A statement yesterday by the INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye explained that the Commission created the two (2) departments out of the present Department of Legal Services, Clearance and Complaints (LSC and C). In the new arrangement, a Department of Litigation and Prosecution (DL&P) and a Department of Legal Drafting and Clearance (LDCD) have been established.
Similarly, the Commission has approved the de-establishment of the Voter Education, Publicity, Gender and Civil Society Liaison Department (VEP) and in its place established the Voter Education and Publicity Department (VEP), as well as the Gender and Inclusivity Department (GID).
The changes in the Department of Legal Services, Clearance and Complaints (LSC&CC), the statement pointed out, were urgent and imperative as the Commission is determined to strengthen its statutory powers of prosecuting electoral offenders.
Also, the Commission said it is determined to proactively communicate its policies and programmes to the Nigerian people and effectively engage and mainstream women’s groups, persons living with disability and other marginalized individuals in the electoral process.
The statement by Okoye reads, “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) met today (yesterday) 22nd April 2021 and among other issues, deliberated on the reorganization of its Department of Legal Services, Clearance and Complaints (LSC&CC) and that of Voter Education and Publicity (VEP).
“As the Commission prepares for major off cycle Governorship elections and the 2023 general election, it has become imperative to review and realign some of its departments for improved effectiveness and efficient management of its human resources and assets.
“Based on this, the Commission has created two (2) departments out of the present Department of Legal Services, Clearance and Complaints (LSC&CC). In the new arrangement, a Department of Litigation and Prosecution (DL&P) and a Department of Legal Drafting and Clearance (LDCD) have been established.
“In the same vein, the Commission approved the de-establishment of the Voter Education, Publicity, Gender and Civil Society Liaison Department (VEP) and in its place established the Voter Education and Publicity Department (VEP), as well as the Gender and Inclusivity Department (GID).
“The changes in the Department of Legal Services, Clearance and Complaints (LSC&CC) are urgent and imperative as the Commission is determined to strengthen its statutory powers of prosecuting electoral offenders.
“Similarly, the Commission is also determined to proactively communicate its policies and programmes to the Nigerian people and effectively engage and mainstream women’s groups, persons living with disability and other marginalized individuals in the electoral process.
“These reorganizations and realignments would not affect the structure and functions of the State Offices of the Commission. Legal Services and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Desks at the state level will still function under the Head of Department of Legal Services, while that of Gender and Inclusivity will remain under the Head of Department of Voter Education and Publicity.
“The re-organisation takes immediate effect”, it stated.