Abuja: The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has assured Nigerians that the 2019 general elections will be a remarkable improvement on the success of the last general elections as the Commission is fully prepared for it.
The INEC Chairman Prof.Mahmood Yakubu who gave the assurance on Wednesday, while swearing in nine Resident Electoral Commissioners at the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja, reminded the Commissioners that INEC will continue to uphold the sanctity of citizens’ choice as the only basis for determining elective representation in Nigeria.
Prof. Yakubu noted that INEC was already taking steps towards actualising the Commission’s 2017-2021 strategic plan, disclosing that the Complimentary Document- the Election Project Plan, is almost ready.
“Very soon, the Election Management System that will enable us track activities almost on daily basis will be ready”, he said.
He told the commissioners that “As Resident Electoral Commissioners, you will be responsible for the implementation of the plan. In doing so, you will also exercise supervisory control over personnel, resources as well as legal and administrative processes in the States to which you are posted”.
He disclosed that some 2,092,434 citizens have so far been registered at the ongoing continuous voter registration exercise nationwide.
According to him; “In Anambra State in particular, the registration has been devolved to Ward level in view of the forthcoming governorship election consistent with the commission’s practice”. We have introduced a new innovation in voter registration in Anambra State which will in due course be extended nationwide using our newly acquired Direct Data Capturing Machines”.
The INEC boss pointed out that data is now collected on Persons with Disabilities categorised by gender and type of disability, stating that this will help in planning access to polling units on election day as have been advocated by advocates of inclusiveness.
He affirmed that the Commission has, by order of court, issued certificate of registration to the African People’s Party, APP which originally applied for registration as a political party in 2014.
