INEC Prepared to Conduct Local Government Elections if Assigned

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed its readiness to oversee local government elections, should the responsibility be assigned to it. This statement came from INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, during his appearance before the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters. The discussion focused on preparations for the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.

Yakubu highlighted that while INEC currently conducts area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) without issues typically seen in state-level local government elections, taking on this expanded role would require constitutional amendments. He emphasized the Commission’s capability in managing these elections, noting that elections in the FCT have not seen a monopoly by any single political party, unlike the state local government elections.