INEC Inaugurates Planning Committee For 2019 Elections

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday inaugurated the Election Project Plan Committee (EPPC).

The Commission also approved the 2017 – 2021 Strategic Plan for immediate implementation, following its validation by stakeholders.

The EPPC has an INEC National Commissioner, Professor Okechukwu Ibeanu as Chairman, as well as the Director of Planning and Monitoring, Mr Ndeche Okechukwu as Secretary.

Members of the committee include: Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola (National Commissioner); Abubakar Nahuche (National Commissioner), Professor Bolade Eyinla (Chief Technical Adviser to Hon. Chairman), Professor Mohammad Kuna (Special Adviser to Hon. Chairman) and Mr Rotimi Lawrence Oyekanmi (CPS to Hon. Chairman).

Others are Professor Abubakar Momoh (Director General, Electoral Institute), A.T Yusuf (Director, Operations), Chidi Nwafor (Director ICT) Iro Gambo (Director, Voter Registry), Aminu Idris (Director EPM), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola (Director, Legal Services); Mrs. Ruth Endeley (Director, Estate & Works); Mr Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi (Director, Voter Education & Publicity); and Mr. Kenneth Ukeagu (Director, Procurement).

A statement from the Commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Adedeji Soyebi, revealed that the committee has been charged with the responsibility of planning the 2019 general elections.

The statement added that the EPPC’s terms of reference are to “coordinate all Departmental and State inputs into the planning of elections; as well as monitor the performance of the two-year budget estimates for the general elections, identify gaps and advise the Commission appropriately.

“Produce a comprehensive, costed Election Project Plan (EPP) for the Commission’s approval; ensure the integration of the EPP and the EMS for effective implementation and monitoring; and provide a quarterly progress report on the implementation of the EPP up to the Election Day”.

Speaking at a brief ceremony to inaugurate the committee, the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, asked the members to immediately devote themselves to ensuring that the 2019 general elections are better than the previous ones.

He also charged them to commence the implementation of the Strategic Plan 2017 – 2021, and ensure the actualisation of all its envisaged goals.

Professor Yakubu noted that with the inauguration of the committee and the approval of the strategic plan, INEC “is now in an election mode”. 

Professor Ibeanu, in his response, promised that they would devote themselves to the onerous task of making the 2019 general elections a successful one. He said members regard the assignment as a great honour and privilege, stressing that no stone would be left unturned to achieve the Commission’s goals.