Ensure World-Class Standards in Elections – INEC Boss to RECs

Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Amina Bala Zakari, has called on Resident Electoral Commissioner’s (RECs) to remain impartial and committed to the delivery of qualitative electoral services to the country.

Mrs. Zakari made the call Saturday at a meeting with RECs at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Noting that INEC is experiencing challenges in the management of cases before the various election petition tribunals, she called for caution, affirming that the Commission will remain undeterred.

“We shall continue to uphold our role as independent, non-partisan and an unbiased umpire. We must ensure that we act according to the rules and remain above board, as well as cooperate with all stakeholders to ensure free, fair and uninterrupted dispensation of justice,” she said.

The Acting Chairman said the meeting was called to “to enable us focus and re-strategize on key issues of the electoral process.”

She commended what she described as the far-reaching recommendations of the Commission’s Post Election Retreat held in June in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, saying, “We need to understudy those reports with a view to identifying suitable modalities for the implementation of the recommendations therein.”

She further identified the recommendations which require urgent attention, including: Continuous Voter Registration and Permanent Voter Cards’ distribution; improved communication strategies with internal and external stakeholders; ad-hoc staff matters (recruitment, training and payment) and legal reforms.

She flagged up some of the challenges facing the Commission, particularly in relation to the forthcoming Kogi and Bayelsa gubernatorial elections, tasking RECs and other INEC staff to raise the bar and ensure world-class standards.

“It is important to begin to look towards the necessary mechanisms that would positively impact on the conduct of these exercises. We have already set good records, but should still improve,” she said.

Mrs. Zakari stressed the need to secure election materials and INEC offices nationwide; and announced the Senate confirmation as REC of the former Secretary of the Commission, Alhaji Abdullahi Kaugama.

The meeting also saw the official presentation of the 2015 Election Report by Professor Abubakar Momoh, Director-General of the Electoral Institute.

Prof. Momoh described the report as a collective effort, with input from the states providing much needed cohesion.

“It is not an attempt to idealize the 2015 general elections, but a sober reflection of the realities of the electoral process,” he said.

SOURCE: DAILY TIMES