The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the credibility and integrity of local government elections conducted by State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs).
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made this known when he received the new leadership of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON) during a working visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Professor Yakubu emphasized the vital role SIECs play in deepening grassroots democracy and expressed concern over the quality of local government elections in several states, where outcomes are often overwhelmingly skewed in favor of a single political party.
The INEC boss also cautioned against the disregard for key provisions of the Electoral Act, particularly in issuing timely notices for the conduct of local council elections.
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Earlier, the Chairman of FOSIECON, Hon. Mamman Nda-Eri, outlined key areas where the Forum seeks INEC’s technical and strategic support to improve electoral administration at the local level.
Discussions during the meeting underscored the importance of collaboration between INEC and SIECs to enhance the quality of grassroots elections and ensure that local government councils are elected through transparent and credible processes.
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