Mahmood Yakubu, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Wednesday, December 12, declared that the commission would conduct 2019 general elections using the exiting laws that are presently valid and in place.
The Nation reports Yakubu stated that the commission would not be distracted by the misunderstanding between the presidency and National Assembly.
The INEC chairman made this known at a national peace conference on 2019 general elections organised by Youngstar Development Initiative with support from the National Democratic Initiative.
Yakubu, who was represented by national commissioner and chairman, information and voter education committee Festus Okoye, urged registered political parties, their candidates and supporters to place national interest over their own personal interest.
He said: “As a commission, we are fine-tuning our processes and procedures towards delivering good elections in 2019. The commission is focused and will conduct an election that the Nigerian people will be proud of. But that election has to be and must be conducted under a very peaceful environment.
“The commission is not bothered and will not be distracted by the hue and cry over certain issues and decisions taken by the president and the National Assembly. The commission is focused on organising the 2019 elections using the extant laws, using the laws that are valid as at today and we will not be distracted.
“We urge all registered political parties, their candidates and their supporters to place the national interest over their own personal interest.”
Yakubu added that the commission has constituted a committee to oversee the situation room and collation centres.
He expressed concerns over the safety and security of corps members and other officials that will participate in the election.
Meanwhile, we had reported that the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, on Monday, December 10, assured Nigerians that the smart card readers would be used in the conduct of the 2019 general elections.
Yakubu gave the assurance amidst controversy over President Muhammadu Buhari’s withholding of assent to the 2018 Electoral Act Amendment Bill transmitted to him for the fourth time.
Speaking at the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room National Stakeholders’ Forum on Elections in Abuja, Yakubu said the technological device had become an integral part of the country’s electoral process.
