POLITICS
INEC
chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, has described the nation’s current
Electoral Act as problematic.
He said a new legal framework must be put in place in order to address
the irregularities being witnessed in the nation’s electoral process.
Yakubu spoke during the 12th National Delegates Conference of the Forum
of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria held in Jos, Plateau
State capital, on Wednesday where he was represented by the commission’s
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee,
Festus Okoye.
The INEC boss said the current legal framework creates uncertainty and
undermines the people’s confidence. He made a case for an electoral law that
would ensure the settlement of all pre-election matters at least 60 days before
the commencement of an election. He noted that party nomination had a
tremendous impact on the preparations and conduct of elections.
The INEC boss said, “When nominations are hazy and issues go to the
courts, court judgments, orders and pronouncements affect procurement the
printing of ballot papers and result sheets. It is important to put in place a
legal regime that allows for the disposal of all pre-elections matters at least
60 days before the elections.
“Removing the names and logos of political parties and changing the
names of parties’ candidates up until the eve of election, on account of court
orders and pronouncements, is very problematic and confusing. This puts the
electoral management body on edge, with a profound impact on the conduct of
elections.”
While noting INEC’s adoption of smart card readers in 2015, Mahmood
implored SIECs to adopt the technology in the conduct of local government
elections in order to enhance the integrity of the process and safe-guard the
will of the people.
He promised that INEC will support any SIEC who heeds the advice. The
forum’s chairman, Justice Igbozuruike Akomas (retd.) enjoined states to be
conscious of the fact that an election is a process and not an event.
Akomas said the states must commence planning for elections early and
avoid take anything for granted until election is successfully conducted.
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