INEC promised on Tuesday to deliver the best general election in Nigeria in 2023.
Its president, Mahmood Yakubu, assured this when receiving in Abuja the delegations of the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI).
He said the meeting was the first organized by INEC after Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Osun and said it would build on its successes in subsequent elections.
“We are encouraged by your kind words, but there is still much work to be done.
“We assure you that we will continue to work not only hard but even harder to carry out the general elections of 2023.
“I have heard some of the issues raised, but perhaps when we get into the work session we will have the opportunity to respond to some of the issues,” he told delegations.
Mr. Yakubu, a teacher, also spoke about the gubernatorial elections held in Ekiti in June and the one in Osun held on Saturday.
“Regarding the preparation for the general elections in 2023, I want to assure you that we promised Nigerians that Ekiti was going to be good and Ekiti was a good election.
“We promised that Osun was going to be better, Osun was a better choice. We promise that the 2023 general election will be the best election in our history and we are committed to delivering the best election in history,” he said.
Earlier, Frank LaRose, Secretary of State for Ohio, USA and leader of the delegations, praised INEC for its various efforts to improve the conduct of elections in Nigeria.
Mr. LaRose, who is an election commissioner in the state of Ohio, described his first visit to Nigeria as a great learning opportunity. He urged INEC to continue to improve Nigeria’s electoral system.
“I lead a delegation of high-level election experts from across the region, as well as from the United States.
“These are delegations that share with you the common belief that the people of Nigeria deserve to continue to have free, fair and acceptable elections, which is why we are working to prepare for the 2023 presidential election.
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“We took the opportunity to visit Osun because that was only the second time an election had been held under the new Electoral Law.
“We met with the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Osun and looked at many different polling places on election day.
“First, I want to congratulate all of you for the continuous work you do to keep improving. We always know there is room for improvement.
“However, we must first recognize the continuous improvement that INEC has made to offer safe elections; and that’s something we got to see firsthand,” LaRose said.
(YAYA)