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INEC proposes 34 amendments to Electoral Act

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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