INEC charged on electoral reforms
From Akinnodi Francis, Ore
|
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has been urged to embark on constitutional and electoral reforms to enhance the integrity of the Nigeria electoral process.
A public analyst, Mr. B.A Ikusika, made the appeal in Ore while answering questions from newsmen on the just concluded 2019 general elections.
He appealed to INEC to consider the duality of electronic and manual collation and transmission of results to prevent noticeable lapses.
Ikusika, disclosed that Nigeria as a nation aimed at developing should consider the use of technology in the electoral process to stop the do or die practice by some politicians.
He said that a section of the political class had refused to imbibe the democratic spirit that puts obedience and respect to constitutional dictates at the centre.
His words: “Nigeria and other relevant stakeholders should acknowledge the need for constitutional and electoral renewal, the greater challenge lies in the bad behavior of a section of the political class.
“It is very clear that some of the provisions in the Constitution and Electoral Act must be realigned to meet the expectations of the majority of our people.
“The commission should look at the timeline for the disposal of pre-election matters and propose an amendment to the National Assembly”.
Ikusika said that the commission should support an amendment that would lead to the disposal of all pre-election matters at least 45 days to holding of elections.
“INEC should take steps that would prevent political thugs from storming collation centres in search of results”.
