NAN-H-7
Reform
By Lydia Ngwakwe
Lagos, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) Some politicians in Lagos on Wednesday urged the Federal Government Committee on Constitution and Electoral Reform to ensure necessary reviews and amendments.
The politicians told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in interviews that areas of topmost importance should be scrapping of state electoral commissions.
They also called for scrapping of electronic voting and independent candidacy, as well as ensure independence of INEC chairman, among others.
NAN reports that the Federal Government had last month inaugurated a 20-man panel headed by former Senate President Ken Nnamani to review existing electoral laws and past reports on proposed electoral reforms.
The Lagos State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Movement, Dr Akin Badmus, called for scrapping of state electoral commissions.
“ It is my wish to see the local government administration out of the control of state governors.
“ INEC should be mandated to conduct elections into all the 774 local governments in the country,’’ Badmus said.
The Lagos State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Mr Nkem Lemchi, said that there was the need to ensure independence of INEC chairman
“ I wish they look into the appointment of INEC chairman and commissioners; let them be free from the president’s control.
“The recommendation of absolute use of electronic accreditation and voting should also be looked into.
“INEC should be seen to control all security apparatuses assigned for election purposes during election periods,’’ Lemchi said.
He suggested implementation of the retired Justice Mohammed Uwais’ recommendations.
Mr Shola Omolola, Lagos State Chairman of Action Alliance, said that giving subvention to political parties should be reviewed.
“ The issue of subvention should be revisited; only parties that have no representation at both state assembly and National Assembly should enjoy it.
“I will like the committee to consider amending the section on electronic voting; that will stop rigging.
“Also, we have over 50 political parties; so, there is no need for independent candidacy,’’ Omolola said.
The Deputy Chairman of Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Ola Apena, urged review of issues on card readers, voters register and accreditation of voters.
“I also wish the committee reviews electronic recording of ballot sorting and counting of ballot papers at polling units, and collation at all levels,’’ Apena said.
LED/BOLA/IGO
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(Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Ijeoma Popoola)