OSUN 2018: 48 PARTIES TO PARTICIPATE IN OSUN GUBER POLL – INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through its National Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has said on Wednesday that 48 political parties filed nominations for the Sept. 22 governorship election in Osun.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this at the swearing-in of two Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Yakubu said that the commission was currently processing the nomination forms.
“Our preparations for the Osun governorship election continued in earnest.
“Nomination of candidates closed yesterday (Tuesday) in line with the timetable and schedule of activities released by the commission in October, 2017.
“A record number of 48 political parties have nominated candidates for the election. The commission is currently processing the nomination forms,” Yakubu said.
The two new RECs were Garba Madami and Ahmed Mahmud.
Newsmen report that President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier on Wednesday sworn in Mr Festus Okoye, a human rights activist, as INEC National Commissioner.
Yakubu said that with the new RECs, INEC now had the full complement of 12 National Commissioners and “all but two RECs”.
He expressed optimism that the new RECs would bring their knowledge and experience to bear in the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.
The Chairman advised them to quickly familiarise themselves with the relevant provision of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), INEC’s plans, guidelines and regulations as well as established processes and procedures.
“On the practical side of your work, you must immediately interact with your staff and pay attention to their welfare.
“Also visit the local government offices in your states and assess the various facilities and critical requirements for the 2019 general elections, ranging from the recruitment and training of ad hoc staff, logistics and more.
“Within the confines of the law, I encourage you to be imaginative in responding to the needs of the electorate and add value to the electoral process.
“In doing so, always seek for clarification and, where necessary, the approval of the commission.”
NAN
