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The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), on Wednesday lamented what it called “indiscriminate court orders.”
INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Voter Education and Publicity, Festus Okoye, expressed the commission’s concerns while speaking at a media parley in Lokoja ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Kogi State.
Okoye noted that although the commission has resolved to obey every court order relating to the conduct of an election, it has become a source of worry as such orders often slow down the job of the commission.
“For instance when a court gives an order 48 hours to an election, which must be obeyed, it means the commission will have to put in extra effort to meet the deadline,”he said.
Okoye called for dialogue to determine the extent which the commission can exercise its power based on the provisions of the constitution and electoral law.
He said the commission will embark on presenting a robust proposal on electoral reforms to the national assembly next year.
“We will be bold, strong and courageous in our efforts to get our electoral system reformed so that our country can enjoy the full benefits of democracy.” he added.
The INEC Commissioner called on the people and secuity agents to properly scrutinize the politicians before and during Saturday’s election.