2019: INEC Seeks UN Support For Credible Elections

INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sought the support of the United Nations (UN) to conduct a free, fair and credible election in 2019.

The commission said it needed support in areas such as technology, capacity building for staff, voter education and sensitisation and the electoral process as the 2019 election is around the corner.

The chairman of the commission, Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this on Monday during a meeting with the United Nations Team led by the representative of the Secretary General, Needs Assessment Mission on the 2019 General Election, Sergi Kubwimana.

Yakibu said UN support would be needed to also help political parties in electoral conflict mitigation, inclusiveness, especially of women, youth and persons with disabilities, noting that UN had provided immense support to the commission over the years.

According to him, INEC has registered over 74 million voters, and promised that the number will rise, adding that the number of registered political parties now is 68 and the commission is processing over 90 fresh applications seeking registration as political parties.

He stated further that there are 119,973 polling units, 8,809 electoral wards and 1,553 constituencies for which elections will be conducted in 2019.

The INEC chairman told the UN delegation that the commission had deliberately embarked on far-reaching reforms of the electoral system in terms of operational procedures in the past elections conducted.

In his remark, Mr. Kubwimana said the UN would address the political, social economic and human rights contexts, adding that the UN would work with relevant organisations such as the security, political parties, civil society organisation, including women organisations and the People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs), in conducting the needs assessments.

He said, “Women organisations are also an important aspect of our collaboration to see how we can increase representation of women in politics and also increase number of voters. Security is also important in any given contest.”