Prof Jega say’s, We must proscribe cross carpeting, unbundle INEC
If the 2022 Electoral Act is to be amended, according to Attahiru Jega, a former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), it must prohibit candidates from engaging in cross-campaigning and separate the INEC from its constituent entities.
As reported by the Daily Independent, Jega said that the practise of candidates switching political parties was eroding the very foundation of the country’s democratic system.
Speaking at yesterday’s Citizens’ Town Hall on Electoral Reforms in Abuja, Jega—a professor of political science at Bayero University, Kano—also called for reviewing the appointment process of INEC’s chairman and resident electoral commissioners (RECs) and for the unbundling of the electoral body, INEC. The event was co-organized by a monitoring group, Yiaga Africa, and the European Union.
Even while there is space for improvement, he maintained that the 2022 Elections Act is the best our nation has ever had.
“Prohibiting politicians from cross-flooring between parties is necessary if we want to deepen our democracy and improve electoral integrity,” he stated.
The reason our lawmakers don’t appear interested in doing this, in my opinion, is that many of them leave our party in search of a better platform to run in the primaries. This is despite the fact that I believe this is critically important.
They usually end up with the ruling party after crossing the carpet. It strikes at democracy’s very core. It is so disgraceful to leave the party that elected you after they gave you a mandate to deliver on that programme.
Not only in the legislative, but even among elected executive governors, we are witnessing a trend of people leaving their positions in the middle of their terms and switching parties.
The law is crystal clear: unless there’s a party crisis, you have to step down from your position and a by-election has to be held to find a new representative.
I think it’s crucial to include that in our Electoral Act going ahead. If it’s a question of principle and you cross the carpet, you should be able to resign and run in a different election.
This is one of those issues that undermines the very foundation of our country’s election policy, and I believe it is crucial that we resolve it.
The unbundling of INEC and its independence were other points that Jega brought up.
“Another thing I want to mention is that I really believe it should be looked into how the chairman, national commissioners, and resident electoral commissioners were chosen,” he said.
“We need to go away from the old system where the president makes nominations, and every time he does, they don’t go through a thorough vetting process and have a lot of support from the legislature.
We must guarantee thorough screening and maintain a transparent approach. “We must pay close attention to the legal provisions regarding partisanship and the honesty of the nominees,” he emphasised.
It is also crucial to separate INEC, he emphasised. The INEC commission is overburdened with work, which is compromising its ability to carry out its primary functions. There needs to be a major focus on unbundling INEC.
I think it’s important to reevaluate candidates’ platforms, especially for the presidency. We could even make it applicable to races for governor if we wanted to. There are major issues with the logistics of the preparation and deployment of resources for elections in Nigeria because anybody can start a political party and run for president.
I believe it is necessary to establish a new threshold. Unless they reach specific milestones, political parties are unable to field candidates. Many other countries do this, and we should start paying attention to it here too or else we’ll keep having the same problems—for example, having twenty candidates for president (we had seventy-three candidates for the presidency at one point), with few of them receiving more than 1% of the vote. According to Jega, “we have to moderate” the amount of resources that have been wasted.
Participants at the town hall gathering came from all walks of life, but they all agreed that the lessons learned from the off-season elections in Imo, Kogi, and Bayelsa make it imperative that the Electoral Act of 2022 undergo further revisions.
Some participants have voiced serious worries about the following: the prevalence of vote buying; the length of time it will take to resolve litigation filed before or after the election; and the damage that hate speech, misinformation, and false news are causing.
Concerning matters pertaining to the administration of election results, the prosecution of electoral offences, violence, suppression of voters, and election security, they contended that reforms were equally sacred.
They believed that the credibility of elections, as well as the process for selecting the INEC chairman and commissioners, would be enhanced by unbundling the commission.
During his speech, Yiaga Africa’s Executive Director Samson Itodo acknowledged that the 2022 Electoral Act had a significant impact on our electoral process, particularly in the 2023 general elections, where the issue of overvoting was significantly mitigated.
Nevertheless, he voiced his worries about the fact that, despite the constant stream of changes, new fault lines are always appearing and need investigation.
Incorporating modern technology into our political system, particularly allowing citizens to participate by providing a forum for a national dialogue about necessary reforms, was long overdue, according to the Yiaga boss.
The National Assembly has already begun implementing a pragmatic Electoral Reform Work Plan (ERWP), according to Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters. The EFWP is based on training and exposure to best applicable practise, consultations and collaboration, and working with meaningful timelines.
According to him, the National Assembly places a premium on the autonomy, well-being, and security of the electoral institution and its employees.
We were able to hold the general elections in 2023 and transition to this current administration because the Electoral Act of 2022, which was contributed to by the 9th National Assembly, was successfully passed. You will agree with me on this.
But there have been requests to reevaluate the election legal framework in order to reduce the overbearing demands made on the electoral umpire, who has not been provided with the necessary autonomy to enhance its effectiveness. obligation in the election process falls on all parties involved, including political parties, candidates, and the electorate. This obligation is tempered by the law and layered with a feeling of civic duty.
At the same time, Godswill Akpabio, who is the president of the senate, has stated that the National Assembly will cooperate with other groups to change the electoral law and safeguard INEC’s autonomy.
Yesterday, during Yiaga Africa’s Citizens Town Hall on Electoral Reforms, Akpabio made the comments.
At the event, Akpabio reiterated that NASS is willing to collaborate with anyone who shares his interest in the nation’s development and progress, as represented by his Chief of Staff (CoS), Sylvester Okonkwo.
“We can strengthen the trust and mandate that our people have given us by participating in this event,” he stated. The leaders of the National Assembly saw this as a very important moment to address the crucial matter. If we want to make progress on our democratic journey, we need to tackle this very serious issue.
The democratic process relies on participation from all sectors of society, and the 10th National Assembly plans to make setting new standards and engaging with the public a top priority.
When it comes to the election, we’re dedicated to doing what the people want: reforming the electoral law framework, protecting INEC’s independence, and winning back the faith of our voters.
We will not be able to accomplish this goal on our own. There has to be unwavering commitment from all those engaged, the majority of whom are present here now.
Consequently, I implore everyone here and those who are unable to attend to come together and alter the course of our democratic process for the sake of our nation. Every action we do will be documented in the annals of history.
The Senate and House committees have clearly taken the most advantageous approach to this process so far, particularly with regard to finishing it within a reasonable amount of time. Collaborations and consultations have also begun, as far as I can tell. Positive developments have resulted from partnerships with Yiaga Africa and other CSOs.
“The Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre arranged a retreat in Lagos two weeks ago for members of the National Assembly committee on election problems, and I am aware of it as well. I have been informed that the results of this Citizens Town Hall will be used as input for the anticipated electoral change, which will be linked with the retreat communiqué.
Also, he mentioned that the joint committee has gotten off to a great start since its inception, which I’m sure you’ll agree with.
In order to accomplish its goals, the committee will have the full backing of the National Assembly’s leadership.
“I must conclude this speech by stressing that the National Assembly and this administration are prepared to collaborate with anybody who is concerned about the growth and improvement of our country. This includes those who are interested in electoral reforms and those who want to help us revamp our economy and take the lead in industrial and economic advancement through constructive action and a realistic view of the problems that really matter.”
