The national chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has explained why Nigerians in the diaspora won’t be voting in the forthcoming general elections.
While speaking about the commission’s preparations for the general elections at Chatham House in London on Tuesday, Prof. Yakubu said INEC does not have the power to make diaspora voting possible.
“Voting by those in the diaspora should be a settled issue. I support it but INEC doesn’t have the power to make it happen. They’re citizens and they must enjoy rights,” he said.
He recounted how the commission proposed to the National Assembly to amend sections of the constitution and the Electoral Act (2010 as amended) to make way for Nigerians living outside the country to participate in their country’s electoral process but the proposal was rejected.
Prof. Yakubu also restated the commission’s commitment to free, fair, and credible elections.
He said the electoral body is satisfied with its preparations for the general elections, adding that they have left no stone unturned in preparing for the exercise.
