By Joy Odor
The Chairman, Nigeria Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has affirmed to the European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission that the Commission is in better place to conduct credible elections in 2023 after President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Electroal Act.
The INEC Chairman gave the affirmation when the EU delegation led by Ms. Maria Arena paid him a Follow Up Mission visit to the Commission headquarters for interaction towards the success of the 2023 General Elections in Abuja Wednesday.
Professor Yakubu assured that the commission is working closely with the National Assembly in areas that require legislation to improve electoral process in Nigeria.
He said INEC under his watch was working hard to decongest polling units and ensure easy access to them for voters by increasing the number of polling units to 176,846 nationwide.
The INEC Chairman mentioned that the Commission has made improvement since 2019 in the areas of security deployment, nomination process of political parties and voters accreditation through BIVAS as can be seen in recent elections across the country.
“In 2019, the EU made 32 recommendations out of which 11 concerned the commission directly. Three have been identified and eight required legislation” he said.
Earlier, Ms. Maria Arena expressed EU readiness to aid the Commission in its quest to perfect the electoral processes in Nigeria.
Ms. Arena said the EU remained a long-standing partner of Nigeria on the country’s democratic journey resumed about 22 years ago when the Military exited power in Nigeria.
She thanked the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, for his untiring efforts at reforming the Nigerian electoral system, adding that the EU would continue to support him.
Her words: “On behalf of the European Union, l thank the INEC chairman for the work done. Our observation was effective and we look forward to more fruitful discussions with the commission. Recently, we launch a new electoral support programme in view of the next general election to improve the electoral process in Nigeria” she said.
