Political Issues
A Quick One On The Guiding Principles Of Voter Registration And Conduct Of Elections In Nigeria -By Chima Christian
The Independent National Electoral Commission in exercising the powers conferred by subsection (1) of this section shall take every reasonable care to enfranchise all eligible Nigerians who present themselves for voter registration and actual casting of votes.
Sections 78 and 118 of Nigeria’s constitution states that; _“The registration of voters and the conduct of elections shall be subject to the direction and supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission”_
The constitution is however silent on the guiding principles that INEC MUST follow in the conduct of the said voter registration and conduct of elections.
What do you think? Will the insertion of the following clauses into these specific parts of the Constitution make for a more credible and inclusive exercise? 👇🏾👇🏾
(2) The conduct of elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission shall comply with the following principles;
(a) Freedom of citizens to exercise their political rights in any part Nigeria without discrimination or fear of intimidation.
(b) Fair representation of persons with disabilities.
(c) Free and fair elections which are;
(i) free from violence, intimidation, improper influence or corruption
(ii) accurate representation of the voting decisions of the public
(iii) conducted by a truly independent body
(iv) transparent
(v) administered in an impartial, neutral, efficient, accountable manner; and
(vi) Conducted in accordance with the Electoral Act and Election Guideline as may be issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
(3) The Independent National Electoral Commission in exercising the powers conferred by subsection (1) of this section shall take every reasonable care to enfranchise all eligible Nigerians who present themselves for voter registration and actual casting of votes.
(4) That the Independent National Electoral Commission shall make adequate provisions to register and capture the votes of eligible Nigerians who may not be in Nigeria at the time of voter registration exercises or elections.
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NB: The above question is considered as part of the electoral reform initiatives of the Electoral Reform Working Group as implemented by Africa’s Morning Centre For Public Policy and Good Governance with funding support from her network of partners. Your feedback may become part of the electoral reform proposals the group will send to the National Assembly. If someone forwarded this to you, please send your feedback via: africasmorning@gmail.com
Your thoughts….
