BEVERLY HILLS, March 03, (THEWILL) – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is proposing 34 amendments to the Electoral Act.
Speaking in Lagos at the opening of a week-long retreat on the review of the electoral legal framework jointly organised by the commission, the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmud Yakubu said the agency remained committed to the review of the Electoral Act to enhance better conduct of elections.
The 37 RECs, national commissioners and directors of INEC were present at the retreat while on Thursday and Friday, members of the National Assembly Committees on INEC and Electoral Matters will join the retreat for what Yakubu called an “in-depth review of their proposals and the commission’s input”.
The INEC chairman said the review of the electoral act will increase citizens’ confidence, enhance the transparency and credibility of the electoral process; entrench internal democracy within political parties; reduce violence, expand the scope of participation for women, youths and people living with disability; deepen the use of technology and foster independence of INEC.
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He added: “I am glad to know that members of the Senate Committee on INEC and House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters are joining us on Thursday and Friday for in-depth review of both their proposal and our input.
“This is the first time that the National Assembly and INEC are coming together on electoral reform. We look forward to this opportunity to serve Nigerians better.”
Its Director of Legal Services, Oluwatoyin Babalola, said there are certain shortcomings in the electoral legal framework that should be addressed through legislation.
Babalola said the lacuna in the provisions of the extant Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) had been identified and highlighted by INEC and stakeholders, adding that there have been calls in recent times for amendment to address the lacuna to foster better elections.
She recalled that while INEC’s proposals were accepted, the amended Electoral Act was not signed into law by the Executive arm of government.
Noting that the retreat was organised to enable the electoral officers contribute ideas and harmonise the inputs, Babalola said: “There are 34 proposed amendments elaborated in four columns.”
Also, Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Sam Olumekun said the delimitation of constituencies was long overdue, in accordance with the 1999 Constitution.
He said the last constituency delimitation was done “more than a long time ago,” adding that the population of the country and registered voters have increased exponentially, thereby underscoring an urgent review for proportional and fair representation.
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