INEC Pledges To Partner NILS On Electoral Reforms

The chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has said that his commission will have no problems relating with the National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS) in the areas of election monitoring, advocacy, expanding the scope of electoral reforms and deepening democracy in Nigeria.

Jega also said that NILS is well placed to develop capacity for monitoring elections. “Obviously, to send monitors you will need to train them and the newly established electoral institute is saddled with that responsibility”, he said.

Professor Jega said these yesterday during a courtesy visit to the commission by a delegation led by the director-general of NILS, Dr Ladi Hamalai.

The DG hinted on the two core issues that informed the visit, which are election monitoring and a proposed roundtable discussion to be organised collaboratively by NILS and INEC.

According to her, election monitoring is one of the core mandates of the institute.

“We are impressed with the sort of reforms by INEC since the assumption of office by the current chairman, Prof Jega, that had gained international applause.

“Elections in Nigeria are now rated to be free and fair in good competitive situations. This has brought some fundamental changes that consolidate democracy,” he said.

Furthermore, Dr Hamalai submitted that there are specific funds set aside for programmes such as round-table discussions and conferences on topical issues that are relevant and proffer quality results.
“We are hoping for INEC to collaborate with NILS in determining the scope of the round-table, whether national or otherwise”.

Reacting to the DG’s request, Prof Jega thanked NILS for calling for synergy with INEC. He said that INEC’s electoral institute performs similar functions to NILS’.

He agreed to approve an institutional accreditation for NILS once it meets some legal requirements involved. “On the round-table, we fully endorse it. I’m glad to hear that you have funding for it because for us here, funding is a big challenge,” Jega stated.

- Leadership

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