The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, said that the regulations and guidelines for the 2023 general election will be ready in April which is ten months before the election.
This is contained in the INEC Daily Bulletin issued on Tuesday even as the elections is scheduled to commence in February 2022
Mr Yakubu gave the hint when he received a delegation from John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, in Abuja
The INEC chairman recalled that In 2019, the commission was constrained by time due to the uncertainty that trailed the electoral legal framework.
He said that saw the commission signing off on the regulations and guidelines on January 19, 2019, few weeks to the election.
“But we hope that this time around we will sign off on the regulations and guidelines at least 10 months before the next general election, which is very good progress for us.”
Speaking further on the commission’s source of power to develop the guidelines and regulations, the INEC Chairman said the commission was happy with the assent of President Muhammadu Buhari to the Electoral Bill.
“We now have a new electoral law, on the bases of which we commenced work on the regulations and guidelines.
“Electoral Act cannot say everything, so the National Assembly donates part of its power to INEC to make Regulations and Guidelines and these Regulations and Guidelines have forms of subsidiary legislation.”
“The third thing we discussed was the creation of new polling units and I understand that these too have been completed and that you are well in preparation for 2023.”
Official of MacArthur Foundation, Mr Palfrey explained that their mission at the commission was to learn more about INEC’s plans the 2023 general election .
“We also thank you for your leadership at the international level and for your partnership with us as we seek to ensure government accountability and anti-corruption in countries around the world with particular focus on Nigeria.”
Recall that President Buhari signed the electoral act amendment bill into law on February 25.
The legislation was transmitted to the president on January 31 after both chambers of the National Assembly had reworked it.
Mr Buhari had initially rejected the bill after the National Assembly made direct primary compulsory for political parties in the country.
The president said the provision “violates the spirit of democracy”.
It was on that basis the senate and house of representatives reworked the bill to provide for indirect and direct primary, as well as consensus candidates.
NAN
