IPAC Calls For Scrap Of SIECS, Support INEC Capacity To Conduct All State Elections
IPAC Calls For Scrap Of SIECS, Support INEC Capacity To Conduct All State Elections
The Inter-Party Advisory Council, (IPAC) has expressed confidence in the ability of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct all Local Government elections as it did for Federal Capital Territory Area Council.
It also rejects the proposed bill by the senate to create Local Government Independent Electoral Commission, saying it would be another States Independent Electoral Commission (SIECS) in disguise.
IPAC Chairman, Mamman Dantalle stated this at the regular third quarterly consultative meeting between INEC and political parties, held at the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Monday.
Dantalle said the elections conducted by SIECS lacks credibility as it’s devoid of the use of voters registration, BVAS, IreV portals, ballot boxes and trained personnel. He called for the immediate scrapping of the State Independent Electoral Commission.
While calling for the amendment of the constitution and the electoral act to empower INEC to conduct all Local Government polls, Dantalle also advocate for the establishment of the electoral offenders commission that would prosecute electoral offenders to further sanitize the democracy process for successful elections and political stability in the country.
Speaking earlier, the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu reiterated the commission preparedness to conduct free, fair and credible elections in Edo and Ondo States.
He urged the political parties to submit the list of their agents on the dedicated portal before the deadline July 30, 2024, to enable the Commission to produce and deliver accreditation tags to party agents in good time.
Recall while addressing the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Electoral Matters on Friday July 26, 2024, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu said the commission has the capacity to conduct all Local Government elections as it did for FCT Area Councils generally adjudged to be free and fair and without rancour.
