The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has successfully relocated 92.4% of its local government offices away from secretariats to neutral grounds across Nigeria, according to its chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. Speaking to the National Assembly on Thursday, Yakubu disclosed that 715 of the commission’s offices had been moved to ensure unimpeded access for all political parties and citizens.
The decision to relocate was driven by complaints from opposition parties and candidates about limited access to INEC offices within local government secretariats, which are often controlled by ruling party officials. Critics had argued that such arrangements undermined the impartiality of the electoral process, particularly during voter registration, collation of results, and other critical activities.
Background on INEC Relocations
Yakubu traced the issue to Nigeria’s transition from military to democratic governance, during which military governors allocated spaces for INEC offices in state and local government secretariats. Over time, opposition parties highlighted that these arrangements created barriers, prompting INEC to begin relocating offices.
“So far, 715 (92.4%) offices have been relocated from LGA secretariats nationwide,” Yakubu said. “In secretariats with large expanses of land, the Commission constructed its own offices within the premises but erected perimeter fences and separate entrances to guarantee neutrality.”
The remaining 59 offices, representing 7.6% of the total, are yet to be relocated. Yakubu emphasized INEC’s commitment to addressing this and highlighted the challenges posed by land availability, community relations, and funding constraints.
House of Representatives Motion
The relocation effort aligns with a recent motion by the House of Representatives titled “Call for Relocation of Independent National Electoral Commission INEC Local Government Offices to Neutral Grounds.” Lawmakers had urged the commission to ensure equitable access to its facilities for all political actors.
INEC’s Extensive Asset Management
Prof. Yakubu also highlighted the significant infrastructure managed by INEC, including 774 LGA offices, 37 state offices, a national headquarters, and over 860 buildings nationwide. He noted that some of these properties face recurrent maintenance challenges, vandalism, and attacks, with funding for repairs largely dependent on the general election budget.
“The cost of maintenance and reconstruction is huge,” Yakubu explained, adding that the electoral cycle-based funding model limits the commission’s ability to address these issues consistently.
Appeal for Legislative Support
Yakubu called on lawmakers to assist in securing land and structures within their constituencies for INEC use and advocated for annual budget allocations for construction and maintenance of physical assets, rather than tying them to electoral cycles.
“Continuous interaction with state governments and communities to make unencumbered and suitably located land available is essential,” he said.
