The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has once again assured of plans to hold the 2023 general election on commitment to the planned conduct of reassured the nation that general election on February 18.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmud Yakubu gave the indication at a public hearing on a Bill for an Act to Establish National Electoral Offences Commission which was organised by the Senate Committee on INEC.
He said: “The Commission is anxious to know the legal framework to govern the 2023 General Elections.
“By the principles established by the Commission, the 2023 general elections will hold on Saturday February 18, 2023, which is exactly one year, nine months, two weeks and six days away from today or 660 days away.”
Prof. Yakubu said 13 years after the recommendation by Justice Mohammed Uwais for the establishment of National Electoral Offences Commission, and many other committee reports on the same “we are here today at this historic event to make inputs into this bill.
“No doubt, INEC is saddled with many responsibilities as it is election throughout the year in Nigeria. Since 2015 election, 124 cases of electoral offences are being prosecuted with only 60 convictions.”
He thanked the leadership of NASS especially the three senators who sponsored the new bill.
Earlier, chairman of the senate committee on INEC, Senator Kabiru Gaya emphasized need for establishment of the Electoral Offences Commission saying it will necessary to clear doubts in the minds of those who thrive on perpetuating electoral violence and fraud.
“You will agree with me that between the 1999 and 2019 elections we witnessed an unprecedented geometric increase in sequence of disruption in elections and electoral violence across the country, an increase which unfortunately does not correspond with the number prosecutions and convictions of Electoral Offenders, in fact some cases were never prosecuted.
“The initiative by a member of our Committee to move this bill will no doubt change the narrative of our electoral process, a process which is conditioned by a situation where violators of Electoral Laws over the years are not deterred neither have they been effectively prosecuted.
The bill provides for the Commission to investigate and prosecute electoral offenders on the powers of the Attorney General, adopt measures to prevent, minimize and eradicate electoral offences he added.
