The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reiterated its commitment to electoral reforms that would strengthen the power and value of the vote.
The commission chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, stated this at the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room Stakeholders Forum on Elections, organised by the coalition of more than 70 civil societies in Abuja.
The chairman, who was represented by Festus Okoye, Chairman Information and Voter Education, said the commission would at nothing to ensure that reforms are carried out on the electoral act because of the huge positive impact it would have on the nation’s electoral system and democratic practise.
Further, Yakubu said the commission would therefore work assiduously with critical stakeholders in the electoral process in providing clarity, removing ambiguities, plugging existing lacuna in laws and constitutionally implementing those aspects of the law that guaranteed the credibility of elections.
“The commission will definitely send its proposals to the National Assembly to clearly state aspects of the existing Law it supports, aspects that need further retooling, and new proposals that will strengthen the electoral process and the regulatory functions of the Commission.”
Earlier, the Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Mr Clement Nwankwo, said the objective of the event was to discuss the current state of the electoral environment in the country.
He said the event was aimed to make recommendations and suggestions that would improve the political and electoral process in Nigeria.
“We believe INEC has the responsibility to be a key driver of the much needed change in the electoral sector,’’ he added.
