INEC Election Project Planning (EPP) Workshop

The ECES supported the INEC in organizing a high level policy and implementation workshop on the 2019 Election Project Plan (EPP). The workshop held over two days from 16-17 February, 2018 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. This workshop had the following principal objectives;
1.    To familiarize the Commission (National Commissioners, RECs and Directors) with the 2019 EPP;
2.    To familiarize the Commission with the basic outlay, structure and processes of the implementation of the EPP using the integrated framework of the EMSC (Election Monitoring and Support Centre); and
3.    To ensure that state officers led by RECs design and establish the EMSC structure and Monitoring and Support protocols for the implementation of the EPP.

The Hon. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu in his welcome remark stated that today February 16 makes it exactly 12 months to the 2019 general elections. He stated that the Commission has already developed and validated the Strategic Plan and Strategic Programme of Action 2017-2021 in full consultation with all stakeholders. In order to implement the plan, the Commission then developed detailed activities and assigned specific responsibilities and timelines for the diverse activities and processes for the 2019 general elections under the EPP with the aim of achieving the following cardinal objectives;
1.    Harmonize the activities and needs of all Departments/Directorates of the Commission into an implementable plan for the 2019 elections;
2.    Organise the 2019 elections in line with the highest global professional standards;
3.    Deliver cost-efficient but high quality general elections in 2019;
4.    Ensure that all stakeholders are carried along and create a level playing field for all candidates and political parties in administering the 2019 general elections; and
5.    Ensure accountability and responsibility of all INEC staff in the conduct of the 2019 general elections.

The ECES representative in Nigeria and Country Project Director, Mr. David Le Notre, in his goodwill message delivered at the 2019 Election Project Plan implementation workshop said ECES with funding from the European Union under the Support to Democratic Governance programme in Nigeria will support INEC from 2017-2022. ECES support to INEC is geared towards achieving the following outputs;
1.    INEC’s strategic planning, policy framework and operational capacity and systems strengthened;
2.    INEC’s capacity for efficient internal communication and engagement mechanisms with stakeholders enhanced;
3.    INEC’s periodic voter registration system for a largely clean register of voters significantly improved;
4.    INEC’s oversight of political parties strengthened; and
5.    INEC’s and political parties’ capacities in Electoral Alternate Dispute Resolution are fostered.

This workshop had in attendance over 90 participants including the Hon. INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, Hon. National Commissioners, Secretary of the Commission, Acting DG of the Electoral Institute, Directors, All Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and Administrative Secretaries from the 36 states and Other Senior Management staff. The EPP implementation workshop was supported by ECES under the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) programme and in collaboration with the Internation Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).
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