INEC Meets Saturday Over Electoral Act, 2023 General Election

Few hours after President Muhammadu Buhari signed the long awaited endorsement of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2022, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled an emergency meeting, Saturday, February 26, 2022.

In a statement by the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, the commission described the signing as “historic”.

According to Okoye, ‘This is historic being the fourth time since the restoration of democracy in Nigeria in 1999 that the Electoral Act is repealed and re-enacted.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.”