INEC can handle local government elections – Prof. Yakubu

By Iyojo Ameh

The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Mahmood Yakubu has declared that the commission can comfortably handle the conduct of local government elections if the responsibility falls on it.

He stated this on Thursday, July 25, 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.

He 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 pointed out some advantages of INEC handling elections to include that there are regular elections as when due, stability of tenure, and also that there has never been a caretaker committee in the FCT.

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

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

He, however, said this can only happen if the constitution is amended to take the responsibility from state electoral commissions.