INEC: CHAIRMAN TO AMEND THE LAW TO ACCOMMODATE……
INEC to approach National Assembly seeking amendment of law accommodating Nigerians on Essential Duties to Vote During Elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC says it may approach the National Assembly to amend the law to accommodate Nigerians who serve as ad-hoc staff, journalists, security agents, and others who are on essential duties to vote during elections in the future.
The Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu stated this with Africa247 Channel, during a meeting with Media Executives to review the 2023 general election in Lagos
He pointed out that the proposal became imperative because more than one million Nigerians were engaged in the last elections for various assignments outside the place where they registered to vote.
Professor Yakubu said“For instance, there were many Nigerians that did not have the opportunity to vote on election day simply because our laws say that you can only vote where you are registered,”
“Most of the journalists on the election day worked in places other than where they are registered so they never had the opportunity to vote. This does not apply only to journalists, but also to officials of INEC, the regular and ad-hoc officials, including the security agencies. INEC boss pointed out
Professor Yakubu who commended the media for effective coverage of the elections, said the meeting was to discuss issues such as the challenges with accreditation of media organizations and personnel, coverage, and to make recommendations.
He stated further that the commission would engage the media for the dissemination of news about future elections to the public to prevent fake news and misinformation.
Professor Yakubu said that the 2023 general election recorded many positives despite the challenges encountered and stated that there would be continuous improvements in future elections.
The Media Executives across the country took the opportunity to suggest possible solutions to some of the challenges faced during the 2023 general election.