The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has inaugurated nine new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), emphasising the significance of their roles in ensuring transparent and fair elections in the country.
The Commission also said it was liaising with the National and State Assemblies to declare six legislative seats vacant so that bye-elections can be conducted in the affected constituencies in earnest.
The chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at a meeting with the RECs shortly after the swearing-in of new RECs to fill vacancies in nine states of the federation.
The INEC chairman noted that the commission would soon release the timetable and schedule of activities for the re-run elections and bye-elections in the affected constituencies where vacancies have been declared by Presiding Officers of Legislative Houses following the death or resignation of serving members of the National and State assemblies.
They are Ebonyi South and Yobe East Senatorial Districts, Akoko North-East/Akoko North-West Federal Constituency of Ondo State, Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski Federal Constituency of Kebbi State, Isa/Sabon Birni Federal Constituency of Sokoto State and Khana II State Constituency of Rivers State.
During the meeting, the new Resident Electoral Commissioner appointed from Akwa Ibom State, Etekamba Umoren, was not among those sworn-in, and the INEC chairman said he would be inaugurated in January when the tenure of the current Resident Electoral Commissioner from Akwa Ibom State currently serving in Delta State will expire.
The newly deployed RECs are Abubakar Dambo Sarkin Pawa (Kebbi), Abubakar Ma’aji Ahmed (Borno), Dr. Anugbum Onuoha (Edo), Ehimeakhe Shaka Isah (Akwa Ibom), Mal. Aminu Idris (Kaduna), Mohammed Sadiq Abubakar (Kwara), Mrs. Oluwatoyin O. Babalola (Ondo), Olubunmi O. Omoseyindemi (Ekiti), and Shehu L. Wahab (Nasarawa).
Prof. Yakubu urged the RECs to navigate the challenges of electoral processes diligently, stressing the importance of consultation with stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organizations, media, traditional institutions, religious bodies, and security agencies.
He cautioned against engaging in futile debates but encouraged openness to constructive criticism.
Yakubu stressed adherence to the electoral legal framework, the code of conduct for RECs, and maintaining the Commission’s tradition of fairness and transparency.
Expressing accountability expectations, he reminded the RECs of their responsibility for managing personnel and limited resources effectively. Acknowledging the service of outgoing RECs, he commended their dedication to the nation.
Highlighting the diversity among the newly sworn-in RECs, the INEC helmsman disclosed that four are seasoned career officers within the Commission, while five bring varied experiences from the public service.
He averred that there would be no learning curve for the experienced appointees.
The INEC chairman also provided insight into upcoming re-run elections and bye-elections in some constituencies, assuring citizens of the Commission’s commitment to conducting transparent and timely elections in constituencies with vacant legislative seats.
Yakubu also announced the deployment of the new RECs to their respective geo-political zones, however, adding that none would serve in their state of origin.
“In line with the current policy, and until such a time when the Commission decides otherwise, the nine new RECs will be deployed within their geo-political zones but none will serve in his/her state of origin,” he stated.
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