Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has said the commission cannot take over conduct of local government elections unless there is a constitutional amendment to that effect.
The commission conducts area council polls within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Prof. Yakubu spoke in Lagos yesterday at the opening of a two-day induction retreat for 10 newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and other commissioners.
He said: “It is good for people to do advocacy, but the constitution must be amended for INEC to take over the conduct of local government elections nationwide.
“Right now, INEC only conducts local government elections for the 68 constituencies, six area council chairmen and 62 councillors in the FCT. It is the only part of the country where there is regularity in the conduct of elections, where there have never been caretaker committees, and where no political party has won in all the 68 constituencies. We are encouraged by what we have done but, as for taking over the conduct of local government elections nationwide, the constitution has to be amended and we are not there yet.”
Prof. Yakubu noted the same law which established INEC also established state electoral commissions, and so INEC’s mandate does not include the conduct of local government elections, apart from the area council elections within the FCT.
The INEC chair also said that recent flooding of the commission’s office in Edo State affected most of the BEVS machines deployed in the state. Nevertheless, he said there is no cause for alarm as the commission has taken steps to remedy the situation.
