INEC Will Implement Amended Election Sequence If Signed By Buhari – Soyebi

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will implement the amended Electoral Act if assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari.

INEC National Commissioner, Voter Education and Publicity, Mr Solomon Soyebi, said this on Thursday during his appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

The Senate had on Wednesday adopted the conference committee report which alters the sequence in which elections are conducted in the country.

Presidential and National Assembly elections have always held (on the same day) before other polls, while the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections follow.

But the lawmakers have amended the sequence such that the National Assembly polls would be conducted first, followed by the state lawmakers, and the governors while the presidential election should take place last.

Asked if the amendment can be implemented by INEC in the 2019 general elections, Soyebi said: “Unfortunately, yes, if the amendment becomes a law now.

“If it’s assented to by the President, it becomes a law. We have no basis to disobey the law; we have to work within the law as it is.”