With INEC Conducting LG Election, There Will Be No Caretaker Committees – Prof Mahmoud

By Ayodele Oni

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given its preparedness to  handle the conduct of local Government Elections if the responsibility falls on it.

The Chairman of the Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu declared this on Thursday, when he appeared before the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters on preparations for the upcoming Governorship Elections in Edo and Ondo States.

He said INEC has the capacity to handle the local government elections but that would only be possible pending when the law is amended to permit it to do so.

The INEC boss pointed out that the Commission had been conducting area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory which has been devoid of the problems associated with the conduct of local government elections.

He explained that some advantages of INEC handling elections to include that there will be  regular elections as when due and stability of tenure.

Prof Mahmoud noted that there has never been a time one political party has won all the seats at the elections in FCT as is common in the states.

He said if INEC handles the election, it would be better for democracy.

The INEC chairman, however, said this can only happen if the Constitution is amended to take the responsibility from State Electoral Commissions.