INEC proposes 34 amendments to Electoral Act
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has
proposed 34 amendments to the Electoral
Act 2010 Amendment Bill.
Speaking at a retreat
on the review of the electoral legal framework on Monday March 2, INEC
chairman's Mahmood Yakubu said they received the draft of the bill from the
Senate Committee on INEC which had been presented to the executive for assent
before the 2019 general elections.
Mahmood further
revealed that the draft bill has been shared with the National Commissioners,
Directors, Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) and senior officials in the
36 states and the FCT.
He said;
“As long as violators of electoral laws are
not penalised, we will continue to have issues with our elections. As part of
the reforms of the key components of the Electoral Act, we will like to see the
effective sanctions of those who violate electoral laws of this country.
“Any country that
does not penalise offenders is doomed and we must find a way of penalising
electoral offenders so that impunity can be at best reduced or even eliminated
completely.
“Listening to
Nigerians, it is clear that a review of the Electoral Act and our electoral
legal framework in general, must be anchored on curbing incidents of violence
and sundry malpractices in the electoral process.
“It is also to
ensure that violators of electoral laws are effectively sanctioned. It must
deepen the deployment of technology in elections.
“It will also
ensure inclusivity in the electoral process for marginalised segments of the
society such as women, youth and persons living with disabilities."
Yakubu added that the retreat which was organized in
partnership with the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) and the
International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), was meant to finalise
INEC’s comprehensive proposal to the National Assembly for amendment to the
electoral legal framework.
He added;
“Our draft is ready but requires further
internal review ahead of submission to the National Assembly.
“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.”
INEC's Director of
Legal Services, Oluwatoyin Babalola who confirmed the development said the
amendment which will include punishments for electoral violators, will also
make provisions for the security of lives and property during elections.
The Nation reported that she 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.
Mrs Babalola said
“There are 34 proposed amendments elaborated in four columns.”
Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Sam
Olumekun also proposed the creation of special courts for electoral offences.
He further stated that the special courts will defined time frame for
prosecution and speedy administration of justice.
He said;
“The commission should critically examine
the issue of conflict of interests among our external solicitors that represent
the petitioners in other matters.
“The commission
should ensure that such solicitors do not represent any petitioner throughout
the period of election petitions in the tribunals and courts of competent
jurisdiction.
“While we
appreciate the effort of the commission in dealing with legal issues, the
commission should continue to equip the Legal Department and prepare the staff
to represent the commission in election matters."
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