2019: INEC seeks UN support on capacity building, voter education
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called for United Nations (UN) support in capacity-building and voter-education ahead of the 2019 general elections.
Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the call during the commission’s meeting with UN’s Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) delegation yesterday in Abuja.
Yakubu said the commission would need support to build capacity of its staff and political parties, and in voter education and general sensitisation.
Other areas of needs for the elections, according to him, are electoral legal framework, electoral conflict, mitigation and inclusiveness, particularly of women, youths and People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs).
Yakubu commended the UN for its support to INEC and other election management bodies in Africa, through its agencies, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
“Over the years, the UN has been providing critical support to INEC in our efforts to introduce and sustain reforms of the electoral system in Nigeria.
“The UN agencies such as the UNDP have been of immense assistance to the commission, especially in building our capacity and extending the same support to our numerous stakeholders as well,’’ Yakubu said.
Leader of the UN delegation, Mr Serge Kubwimana, said they were at INEC to know the preparation of the commission for the elections and to know areas the UN could assist it. (NAN)