- INEC described short election notice by a state as unlawful and inconsistent with Supreme Court rulings.
- Yakubu said proper elections require early preparation, including primaries, campaigns, voter education, and logistics.
The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, has urged State Independent Electoral Commissions to conduct local elections in full compliance with the Electoral Act.
Yakubu made the appeal on Tuesday when members of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria paid a courtesy visit to INEC headquarters in Abuja.
He said provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, particularly Sections 98 to 113 and Section 151, apply to all local government elections.
The INEC chairman stated that the main challenge for SIECs was not funding alone, but the absence of clearly defined electoral procedures.
He criticised a recent case where a state issued only 21 days’ notice ahead of its local council election.
Yakubu described the act as both unlawful and practically impossible to implement in accordance with the law.
He explained that such short notice contravenes the Electoral Act and Supreme Court rulings, and makes proper electoral planning unfeasible.
He encouraged state electoral commissions to take a cue from INEC’s conduct of the Federal Capital Territory council elections.
According to him, INEC released the FCT election timetable over 360 days in advance, following every legal requirement.
Yakubu questioned the practicality of organising elections within 21 days, especially with the inclusion of primaries, campaigns, and voter education.
He said, “It is impossible to recruit and train ad hoc staff, secure materials, and handle logistics within such a short window.”
The INEC chairman reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to supporting state electoral bodies through technical assistance and operational guidance.
He said, “No SIEC has ever been denied support. We’ve always fulfilled this responsibility and will continue doing so.”
He said the best collaboration would be for SIECs to align their processes with INEC’s model of consistent, law-abiding election conduct.
“Your role is critical to ensuring credible elections across Nigeria,” he added.