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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a a minor re-organisation of its operations and creation of new departments.
The announcement was contained in a press statement signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye.
The commission said the re-organisation and creation of the new departments is part of efforts to strengthen its operation and enhance efficiency as it prepares for major off cycle elections.
The re-organisation affects its Department of Legal Services, Clearance and Complaints (LSC&CC) and that of Voter Education and Publicity (VEP).
The Commission has created two (2) departments out of the current Department of Legal Services, Clearance and Complaints (LSC&CC).
The new arrangement has a Department of Litigation and Prosecution (DL&P) and a Department of Legal Drafting and Clearance (LDCD) created out of the former Department of Legal Services.
The Commission also approved the de-establishment of the Voter Education, Publicity, Gender and Civil Society Liaison Department (VEP) and in its place established the Voter Education and Publicity Department (VEP), as well as the Gender and Inclusivity Department (GID).
The changes in the Department of Legal Services, Clearance and Complaints (LSC&CC) are urgent and imperative as the Commission is determined to strengthen its statutory powers of prosecuting electoral offenders.
The Commission is also determined to proactively communicate its policies and programmes to the Nigerian people and effectively engage and mainstream women’s groups, persons living with disability and other marginalized individuals in the electoral process.
These reorganizations and realignments according to the release would not affect the structure and functions of the State Offices of the Commission.
Legal Services and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Desks at the state level will still function under the Head of Department of Legal Services, while that of Gender and Inclusivity will remain under the Head of Department of Voter Education and Publicity.
The re-organisation takes immediate effect.
