By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
In keeping to its promise to deliver free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the publication and release of the guidelines for the conduct of political rallies, processions and campaigns as well as that of finances and election expenses of political parties, candidates and aspirants.
The Commission met on Thursday, November 24, 2022, and deliberated on several issues including the reappointment of the Secretary to the Commission.
Consequently, it has uploaded the two documents to its website and social media handles while copies will be made available to political parties, civil society groups, the media and other critical stakeholders.
The National Commissioner and the Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Barrister Festus Okoye, said in a statement on Thursday that all political parties were reminded of their obligation to submit the required reports to the Commission in accordance with the provisions of Section 90(4) of the Electoral Act 2022 and the applicable sanctions for failure to comply as provided in Section 89(4) of the Electoral Act.
The Commission also approved the reappointment of the Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, for a second and final term of four years, with effect from 7th December 2022, in accordance with Section 8 of the Electoral Act, 2022.
Oriaran-Anthony hails from Edo State. She holds a Bachelor of Education (B. Ed) degree in Language Arts from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, a Master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Abuja and another Master’s degree in Public Communication and Public Relations from the University of Westminster, in the United Kingdom.
She is the second female Secretary of the Commission and the first to have her tenure renewed.
She is a long-term staff of the Commission and has served as Public Affairs Officer, Assistant Director (Information and Publicity), Deputy Director (Voter Education) and Director (Civil Societies Liaison).
Her last posting was Administrative Secretary in Delta State before her first appointment on 5th December 2018.
