INEC Chairman Professor Yakubu visits Senator Lalong, discusses electoral reforms, other matters

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By Anthony Maliki, Abuja

The Senate Committee Chairman on Electoral Matters Senator Simon Lalong on Tuesday received the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu in his office at the National Assembly Abuja.

Senator Lalong together with his Vice Chairman Senator Musa Yar’adua met with the INEC Chairman and his delegation behind closed doors.

Items discussed include some critical issues relating to activities of the Commission as well as Electoral reforms.

This was contained in a statement by Special Adviser on Media to Senator Lalong, Dr. Makut Simon Macham.

Lalong welcomed the Chairman to his office and said the Committee was ready to partner with him to ensure that it discharges its duties without any hindrance.

He said at the appropriate time, the Committee will embark on oversight visits to the Commission and its offices to follow up on the level of implementation of the 2025 Budget as well as ascertain its challenges with a view to addressing them.

Earlier, Prof. Yakubu told Senator Lalong that he was at the National Assembly to formally meet with him and congratulate him on taking over as the Chairman of the Committee on Electoral Matters.

He said it was important to meet with him and discuss how best to push ahead with Electoral reforms that are crucial towards achieving successful elections ahead.

He said issues such as continuous voter registration (CVR), registration and supervision of political parties, delineation of consituencies and polling units, off-cycle elections and by-elections among others are very important and can only be fully achieved with timely release of funds.

Mahmood said the Commission has submitted its proposals to the National assembly on areas that need to be amended for effective elections in 2027 and beyond.

He also thanked the Senate for its commitment towards making necessary budgetary provisions for the Commission but said so far, the Commission has accessed limited funds.

Prof. Mahmood used the visit to condole Senator Lalong over the demise of former Deputy Governor of Plateau State Prof. Sonni Gwanle Tyoden whom he said was his colleague at the University of Jos.