The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has disclosed that the electoral body cannot guarantee a conclusive election in the 2019 general elections based on the history of malpractices among other challenges facing the commission.
The INEC boss while speaking during a courtesy visit to Punch’s corporate headquarters said any attempt by the commission to promise the nation a conclusive election would only amount to second guessing.
He said: “We can’t second-guess to say this is the outcome of an election before it happens, unless we are not conducting elections. We hope it won’t lead to that, but if it happens, the constitution has a way out of it.
“There is no way the commission will declare any election conclusive where the threshold is not met. We can only declare an election conclusive when we are satisfied with the law and electoral act because all elections are governed by constitutional provisions, provisions of the electoral act and our guidelines. This is the challenge that we face, but we must express it because we (INEC) will not compromise.
“The constitution of this country provides condition for making return in an election. If that threshold is not met, can INEC make a declaration? We can’t, under the law, and if you do so the court will nullify the election and then we incur costs to do the election again.
“As to what will happen in 2019, only God knows, but we will abide by the provisions of the constitution, the electoral law and our guidelines in making declarations. We can only hope for the best”.