By InfactNG
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has called on the media to have a good knowledge of the new electoral law and its provisions.
According to the commission, this will assist in crafting good editorials and holding the Commission and the political parties accountable to their implementation.
The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter education Committee, INEC, Festus Okoye stated this at a townhall meeting organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors on Thursday in Abuja.
Infantng had reported that President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Electoral Act into law on February 25, 2022.
Okoye explained that the new Electoral law has progressive provisions and innovations, noting that the law has tight timelines that must be carefully managed.
He said “There are new, creative and progressive provisions and innovations in the new law. The law has tight timelines that must be carefully managed. Under the new law, the Commission shall issue the Notice of Election not later than 360 days before the date fixed for the conduct of elections. Political parties must submit the list and personal particulars of their nominated candidates not later than 180 days before the election.
“The Act also provides that new political associations must apply for registration not later than 12 months before a general election while applications for merger must be filed not later than 9 months before election. The law also provides that the election funds due to the Commission for any general elections are to be released to the Commission not later than one year before the next general election.
“The law contains new provisions relating to ballot boxes and voting devices; accreditation of voters; determination of over voting; visually impaired and incapacitated voters; post election procedure and collation of election results.
“It also contains power of the Commission to review declared results; nomination of candidates; limitation of election expenses and the jurisdiction of courts in pre-election matters among other provisions.”
