By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
Apparently aware of the tight timelines contained in the new Electoral Bill assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on Friday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will hold an extraordinary meeting tomorrow, Saturday, February 26, 2022. to deliberate on way forward.
The notice of the meeting was contained in a statement authored by Barrister Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee on Friday hours after President Buhari assented to the new Electoral Bill.
The statement titled: “The Signing of the Electoral Bill into Law” read in parts: “Today Friday 25th February 2022, the President of the Federal Republic Nigeria signed the Electoral Bill 2022 into law”.
“This is historic being the fourth time since the restoration of democracy in Nigeria in 1999 that the Electoral Act is repealed and re-enacted. It contains many progressive provisions that will facilitate the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria”.
“The nation now has the Electoral Act 2022 which replaces the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended). Together with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the new Act constitutes the principal law to govern the conduct of future elections, including the 2023 General Election”.
“Given the tight timelines contained in the new law, the Commission fully appreciates the importance of proceeding with their implementation in earnest”.
“Consequently, an extraordinary meeting of the Commission is scheduled for tomorrow Saturday 26th February 2022”.
“Thereafter, a statement will be issued on the way forward”.
