PIC.19. From left: National commissioner, Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Prince Solomon Adedeji; chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu; and another national commissioner, Prof. Antonia Okoosi-Simbine, during the INEC’s presentation of certificate of registration to five new political parties, in Abuja on Friday (16/6/17). 03311/16/6/2017/Hogan-Bassey/ BJO/NAN
By John Nwokocha,
The Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA)/Independent Service Delivery Group, a consortium of civil society organisations has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting what it called ‘a successful general elections’ in the 2019 general polls in the country. The acting executive director of CTA, Ms Faith Nwadishi, said during the review and public presentation of its report on the 2019 general elections yesterday in Abuja, that INEC deserved commendations for conducting a violent-free elections. She noted that “General elections in our country have perennially been plagued with controversies’ adding that Nigerians should be congratulated for sticking to the Democratic path for the last two decades. The CTA stated that INEC under the leadership of Prof Mahmood Yakubu took the task of conducting successful elections. “INEC committed itself to the rule of law and went about the business of organising a free and fair general elections methodically’ CTA maintained. While recommending among others for a holistic review of the use of the academia as returning officers during general elections, it wants INEC to act within the law review and investigate the activities of electoral officers, returning officers and ad-hoc staff whose conducts cost the electoral body its integrity. Also in the 13-point recommendation, CTA urged the federal government to make INEC’S budget a priority for ease of implementation of election plans. It condemns what it called nonchalant act by government saying “If the government and political class continue to act nonchalant, the people will lose confidence in politics and democracy and self help would be the outcome”. The event witnessed the award of certificate of honour to the Enugu Resident Electoral Commissioner, Comrade Emeka Ojimadu and other election observers for their roles in ensuring that the election was free and fair. Present at the occasion are INEC national Commissioners, May Mbu Agbamuche, Mohammed Haruna, Prof Anthony Olusanya and members of the civil society organisations.
