INEC handling LGAs elections will protect democracy – Yakubu

Professor Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has told a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Election Matters the body is fit to take over the conduct of local government areas elections.

The legislators had invited Yakubu to confer with them on INEC’s preparedness for the forthcoming off-cycle elections for Edo and Ondo states.

Yakubu cited as a proof of capability in INEC’s handling of local council polls in the country’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He said the commission has, so far, conducted free and fair elections that are acceptable to the political parties.

The INEC boss said INEC taking charge of local polls from states will ensure the stability of the local government administration, guarantee tenure for council chairmen, and prevent whimsical dissolution and replacement of chairmen with unelected caretakers.

He equally alluded to the need to tinker with the constitution before INEC can do as said.

More to follow …