2023: INEC Reiterates Determination To Have A Successful, Free And Fair Election

By Akinwale Kasali

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has reiterated the determination of the Commission to be more organized, transparent in making the 2023 General Elections free and fair.

Yakubu said the Commission is leveraging on the successful Governorship Elections in Ekiti and Osun States where International observers and Nigerians applauded INEC for making the elections free and fair.

He added that the Commission is not resting on its oars to make the 2023 General Election a success, and is poised on improving and drawing vital lessons from the conduct of the Ekiti and Osun election.

The INEC boss made these remarks at a Retreat on the Ekiti and  Osun Off Circle Governorship Elections at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

The aim of the retreat is for the Commission to identify areas where it is lagging behind and need to work on as the 2023 Polls gather momentum.

Yakubu said that the retreat is the Commission’s tradition of reviewing election to learn lessons for improvement of future elections, adding that in the last one decade, the conduct of elections in particular, and the management of the electoral process in general have become more complex.

He is, however, optimistic and assured Nigerians that the 2023 Polls will be the best ever election in the country.

He went further to say that Osun was an improvement on Ekiti,which gives the Commission confidence that working on the same principles, the General Election will also be successfully delivered.

He, therefore, stressed that the Commission will also intensify consultations and engagement across the country.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Lagos State, Olusegun Agbaje in his welcome address said the retreat is geared towards a thorough and honest appraisal of the conduct of the off-circle Governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States with a view to ensuring an improved performance in the conduct of a free,fair,credible and inclusive General Election in 2023.

He commended the Commission on the achievements recorded, so far, in the implementation of the 2022-2026 strategic programmes of actions, 2023 election project plan, expansion of voter access to polling units, and successful conclusion of continuous voter registration exercise.

In the same vein, Rudolf Elbking, the Team leader, Development Associates incorporated, DAI, one of the Commission’s Development Partners said that INEC has made progress over the years with an open innovative and transparency, that has seen it experience a remarkable progress.

The retreat which had in attendance National Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners and Directors is expected to hold from 14th-16th September, 2022.