INEC, NASS assure of credible elections in Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Assembly have pledged their commitment to ensure credible elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states.

This decision was reached during the inaugural meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives committees on electoral matters.

At the meeting held in Abuja were the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, Chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Sharafadeen Alli and his counterpart from House of Representatives, Hon Bayo Balogun.

The gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi have been fixed to hold in the next few weeks.

Yakubu, while addressing members of the National Assembly who were present at the meeting, presented the commission’s plans and preparations towards hitch-free, transparent and credible elections in the three states.

He assured that the commission was ready to collaborate with the National Assembly and other relevant stakeholders toward ensuring improved electoral process in the country.

Alli, in his remarks, charged INEC to do all within its capabilities to ensure the elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi are credible.

The lawmaker maintained that the meeting was aimed at discussing important matters concerning INEC’s activities and preparations for the forthcoming elections in the three states.

He added that the 9th Assembly set a high standard for the committee, especially with regards to the passage of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the Electoral Offences Commission Establishment Bill, 2022.

He said: “Based on the brief I have received, there are pending technical issues that need attention on the Electoral Offences Committee Bill and as you are all aware, there have been calls for possible improvements on the Electoral Act, 2022.

“Zonal interactive sessions with stakeholders will also be organized by the committee to enable participants strategize on relevant issues regarding pre-election matters. Also included are possible omissions in the Electoral Act, Electoral Offences Commission (Establishment) Bill and other relevant issues.”