The speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the conduct of the 2023 general elections.

“I wish to thank the chairman of INEC and all members of staff of the commission for their hard work and commitment to ensuring free and fair elections across the country,” Mr Gbajabiamila said while addressing members of the house at Tuesday’s plenary in Abuja.

He also commended the various security agencies for ensuring that “the worst predictions of crises and conflict did not come to pass.”

The speaker stated that there was an improvement in the election conduct, nonetheless, he admitted that it was not perfect.

Mr Gbajabiamila said the 2023 general elections had effectively come to an end, with the exception of those areas where the electoral body had declared elections inconclusive or scheduled reruns.

He said that amendments to Nigeria’s electoral laws by the legislature, pronouncements by the judiciary and operational reforms by the electoral commission had significantly improved elections in Nigeria since 1999.

Mr Gbajabiamila said the amendments to the Electoral Act by the ninth National Assembly had been particularly instrumental in improving the elections process through the use of technology tools to facilitate voter accreditation and transmission of results.

He said that with each new election season, stakeholders became more aware of areas requiring changes to ensure a better outing next time.

“As a necessary first step, INEC should collaborate with stakeholders to conduct a meticulous assessment of the election process.

“This is necessary to inform further reforms and improvements,” he said.

The lawmaker said the Electoral Offences Act was one area where actions must be taken before the culmination of the ninth house of representatives.

He said that a system of vigorous prosecution and punishment of electoral offenders would serve as a deterrent to others in the future and help build confidence in elections.

Mr Gbajabiamila said that each generation must build on the efforts of the past until a just, peaceful, and prosperous society is achieved.

He said the current generation fell short in the commitment to ensuring political empowerment and representation for women and other marginalised groups in the country.

The speaker, however, said that national priorities must return to the issues of governance and ensuring that institutions of government work for the development, national security and welfare of the Nigerian people.

(NAN)