…Urges NASS to expedite action on electoral bill
By Ezeocha Nzeh
THE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has accused the presidency and the National assembly of delaying the commission’s takeoff with the process of conducting a free, fair and credible 2023 general election, through the continued delay in the signing into law, the amended Electoral bill
The Commission stated Tuesday that the delay has placed in a battling situation, adding that it was already running against time as regards preparation for the 2023 general elections.
INEC had earlier noted tha it cannot release its timetable and schedule for the commencement of the 2023 general elections, until the issue of the amended Electoral bill id finally settled by the National Assembly and presidency
INEC National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education, (IVEC), Festus Okoye, who stated this during a two day capacity building workshop for the commissions’ Heads of Voter Educations and Publicity for the Southern states in Asaba, the Delta State capital, urged both chambers of the National Assembly to harmonise and expedite action in the passage of the amended Electoral Bill, noting that the framework was needed to back up its actions.
The workshop was organised with support from the European Centre for Electoral Support (ACES) and the European Union.
The INEC National Commissioner, who expressed the Commission’s determination to deepen democracy through a technologically-driven electoral process in 2023 and beyond, stressed the urgent need for the passage and signing of the bill into law.
“Under the new bill, the commission shall give a notice of elections 360 days to the commencement of poll.
“And you know INEC has already fixed February 18, 2023 as date of election, so when you count backwards, you will see that there is a limited time within which we have to give the notice of election based on the new bill.
“The bill also makes it mandatory that election funds shall be released to the commission at least 12 months before any election.
“So we are desirous of the bill for whatever fund that is due the commission for the purpose of procurement.
“Also under the new bill, political parties are obligated to submit list and personal particulars of their nominated candidates at least 180 days to the election.
“The implication is that parties must conclude their primaries ahead of time, at least six months to election for them to remain within the framework.
“So the National Assembly is aware of this, and we are confident as a commission, that whatever issues are involved relating to why the bill has not be passed would be resolved any moment from now.
“There are so many provisions in the bill that would impact fundamentally on the electoral process,” he stated
In his remarks, the Project Coordinator, ECES, Hamza Fassi-Fihri, said the agency was committed to an efficient and seamless communication system in the nation’s electoral process.
Also, Delta State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Monday Udo-Tom, who thanked the organisers of the workshop, saying that it would enrich the electoral process, expressed hope that the outcome of the workshop would enhance INEC’s communication and perception management strategy.
