INEC presents draft 2017-2021 Strategic Plan to stakeholders

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday presented its draft five-year new medium term operational framework to stakeholders for validation.
The framework known as “Strategic Plan 2017 to 2021”, was presented by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, at a workshop in Abuja.
He said that the plan was designed to consolidate the recent progress made by the commission in conducting credible elections.
The commission’s first strategic plan, within which general elections were anchored, was developed to serve as a compass for INEC’s activities between 2012 and 2016.
Yakubu said that the commission embarked on the review of the first strategic plan following its completion in 2016.
He said that the advantages of the strategic plan include building certainty and regularity in the electoral process.
According to him, such a process will afford INEC and all stakeholders adequate time to conduct their activities, learn lessons and make adjustments.
“Secondly, this approach builds confidence between INEC and election stakeholders by creating a stable system of expectations.
“Through forward planning, everybody knows what to expect, making it easy to track the attainment of goals and objectives.
“Finally, a strategic approach to election management strengthens INEC’s internal system through clear definition of tasks, cooperative work among the various units, effective monitoring and collective ownership,’’ he said.
Yakubu said that the draft document, aimed at consolidating the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in the country, was presented to the stakeholders for their inputs and not endorsement.
Mr Shelva Kipshidze of the International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES), said the review of the strategic plan would help INEC focus on the conduct of free and fair elections in Nigeria.
Kipshidze, who described the workshop as timely, pledged IFES continued partnership with INEC in improving Nigeria’s electoral system.
He said that IFES, as international development partners since its establishment in 1987, was already partnering with 47 countries.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris called for adequate funding of INEC activities to ensure free, fair and credible elections.
Idris, represented by Mr Olawole  Olokode, assured that the police would work with INEC in ensuring that elections in the country were free and fair.
According to him, the police is committed to providing security to ensure credible election.
The IG called for the support of all stakeholders to enable INEC achieve its primary objective of conducting a free and fair election in the country.
Also speaking, the Director-General, Voice of Nigeria, Mr Osita Okechukwu said there was the need to adequately fund INEC to enable it actualise its programmes.
Participants were drawn from various sectors, including Civil Society Organisations, media, security and  transportation among others.