Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has asserted that the commission possesses the capability to oversee local government elections, should it be granted the authority by law.
This statement was made during a meeting with the Joint National Assembly Committee on Electoral Matters, where Yakubu outlined the budget for the upcoming Ondo and Edo off-cycle elections.
Currently, local government elections are managed by state governments, a practice that has faced criticism from opposition groups.
In his remarks, Yakubu pointed out that INEC has effectively conducted elections in the 62 wards of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and is prepared to extend this capability to the 774 local government areas, provided there are necessary amendments to the electoral laws.
He also discussed the technological advancements that will be implemented in the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo, assuring stakeholders that the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal will operate efficiently.
Yakubu expressed optimism regarding the funding for these off-cycle elections, referencing the executive branch’s commitment to allocate resources for seven by-elections.
Furthermore, he called on lawmakers to expedite the passage of the Electoral Offenders Bill, which would empower INEC to tackle electoral misconduct effectively.
