INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu

INEC seeks law permitting essential duty workers to vote 

By Agency report

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has called for amendment of the electoral laws to permit voting by Nigerians carrying out essential duties during elections.

The commission outline such persons to include journalists, INEC officials, security personnel and medical practitioners.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this known during the Post Election Review of 2023 General Elections with Media Stakeholders in Lagos, Wednesday, 2 August, 2023.

He said many Nigerians do not get the opportunity to vote because the law says one could only do so where he or she was registered.

“Most journalists, on election day, worked in places other than where they registered, so they didn’t have the opportunity to vote. This doesn’t apply only to journalists; it also applies to officials of INEC, the regular and ad-hoc officials, including security agencies.

“Through this kind of interaction, we get recommendations from stakeholders and see what area to approach the National Assembly to amend the laws,” he said.

Also, Yakubu said contrary to what some people may think, INEC has nothing to hide concerning conduct of the 2023 elections.

He asserts, that there were many positive things that came out of the polls despite many challenges adding; that the challenges notwithstanding, there would be continuous improvement by the commission in the conduct of elections nationwide.

“This is an opportunity for media executives in various organisations to tell us what they have seen and how we can continue to improve the electoral process in the future.

“The commission has nothing to hide, and it is by this type of interaction that we continuously improve the process for future elections.

"Clearly, there are many positives coming from the general elections, and at the same time, we admit that there were many challenges. 

"There are several election litigations at various tribunals nationwide and we should be careful not to touch issues that are clearly subjudice.”