Prof Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said that the Commission has no constitutional power to conduct local council elections except in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
Yakubu said this on the sidelines of a two-day induction retreat for INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs, on Monday in Lagos.
He was reacting to calls for INEC to be given a constitutional backing to conduct local council elections.
Describing the issue as ‘a constitutional matter’, Yakubu stressed that unless necessary constitutional amendments are made, the Commission will only continue to organise national and state elections.
“The same section of the Constitution that establishes INEC also establishes the State Independent Electoral Commission, SIEC, and we cannot take over their duties.
“It is good for people to engage in advocacy for INEC to take charge of the whole elections, but the Constitution has to be amended for that to happen.
“For now, INEC can only conduct the local government elections in the Federal Capital Territory with six area council chairmen and 62 councillors.
“And it is in the FCT that the conduct of council elections has been regular and we are proud that the conduct of the elections there has been done to the best of our capacity.
“So, we are encouraged by what we have done, but as for taking over the state elections, the Constitution has to be amended, and we are not there yet,’’ he said.