February 25, (THEWILL) – Following the signing of the Electoral Act 2022 on Friday, by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has scheduled an “extraordinary meeting” for Saturday, February 26, 2022.
The meeting, THEWILL learnt will offer the electoral body the opportunity to brainstorm on how the newly-signed Electoral Act will affect the 2023 election timetable and adjust accordingly.
It is expected that INEC will issue a Notice of Election for the 2023 general elections to help facilitate preparations toward the polls by the commission and political parties, amongst others.
The notice usually contains the date for elections, timelines for party primaries and guidelines for submission of party nomination forms, amongst others.
A statement on Friday by the National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education, Barrister Festus Okoye, described the assent as historic, noting a statement would be issued on the way forward after the commission’s extraordinary meeting.
The statement read: “Today, Friday 25th February 2022, the President of the Federal Republic Nigeria signed the Electoral Bill 2022 into law.
“This is historic, being the fourth time since the restoration of democracy in Nigeria in 1999, that the Electoral Act is repealed and re-enacted. It contains many progressive provisions that will facilitate the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.
“The nation now has the Electoral Act 2022, which replaces the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended). Together with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the new Act constitutes the principal law to govern the conduct of future elections, including the 2023 General Election.
“Given the tight timelines contained in the new law, the Commission fully appreciates the importance of proceeding with their implementation in earnest.
“Consequently, an extraordinary meeting of the Commission is scheduled for tomorrow Saturday 26th February 2022. Thereafter, a statement will be issued on the way forward.”
