Accra:President Bola Tinubu has reappointed Dr. Bala Bila as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and nominated six additional individuals to address vacancies within the electoral body.
According to Ghana Web, the nominations include four National Commissioners and two Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), following the completion of some officials' tenures. The nominees are set to undergo Senate screening for confirmation.
Among the nominees, Professor Mustapha Aliu is set to replace Professor Abdullahi Zuru as the National Commissioner for the North-West, while Bashir Muhammed Umar will take over from Professor Muhammad Adamu for the North-Central region. Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, currently the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, has been nominated to represent the South-West, succeeding Professor Cornelius Ajayi, whose term concludes on October 24.
For the Resident Electoral Commissioner roles, retired permanent secretary Dr. Samuel Akinjide Akinleye has been nominated for Ekiti State, and Zahradden Basiru Sanusi from Jigawa State is to replace Professor Saidu Ahmed Babura. These appointments aim to fill vacancies due to the expiration of commissioners' terms.
President Tinubu has urged the Senate to expedite the confirmation process, emphasizing the importance of filling these positions ahead of the general elections scheduled for January next year. The President reiterated the need for a swift screening to ensure the electoral body's readiness for the upcoming elections.