Acting Chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Hajiya Amina Bala Zakari, has said that INEC will use the forthcoming Kogi and Bayelsa gubernatorial elections to showcase its improved reforms.
Zakari said this while delivering the keynote address during the public presentation of the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room report on 2015 general election.
She said “In conducting elections in both states, the Commission will apply lessons learnt from the previous elections beginning with the stand alone governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States, and the general elections.
“INEC in partnership with the key stakeholders in the political parties, security and civic organisations will strive to ensure that both elections in Kogi and Bayelsa are transparent and well run.”
She added that “Any INEC official found wanting in the tribunals will be punished to the full extent of the law.”
She listed out the key areas where the commission’s transitional plans needed to lay the foundation for the future.
She mentioned staff re-orientation and training, push for recommendations to the National Assembly on electoral reforms such as ballot access restrictions to reduce voter confusion and diaspora voting, increased use of technology building on the card reader and e-track processes introduced in 2015 general elections.
Immediate past chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, was also presented with the achievement award by the Situation Room of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC).