“We are satisfied with amended Electoral Act” – INEC to Buhari

“We are satisfied with amended Electoral Act” - INEC to Buhari

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reportedly told President Buhari that it is “generally” satisfied with the electoral act as amended by the national assembly.

A presidential aide told TheCable that the commission expressed its satisfaction with the amended electoral act as the December 19 deadline for presidential assent draws near.

INEC is said to have disclosed that the amended electoral act has provisions that will make the electoral process stronger and more credible.

The aide told the publication;

“The commission specifically mentioned the electronic transmission of results and the early nomination of candidates for elections.

“INEC also told the president it is good that the commission will now have the power to review election results announced by its officials under duress.”

Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Akwa Ibom State, Mike Igini who also addressed reporters on Sunday, December 5, warned against a repeat of the third term agenda when asked to comment on the position of INEC on direct and indirect primaries by political parties.

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According to him, there shouldn’t be a repeat of the third term situation where one obnoxious item in a single Bill truncates the entire Bill.

Igini said;

“The position of INEC as the impartial umpire is the position of the directives of the extant legal framework. As managers of the electoral process, the commission has institutional memories and knowledge of the advantages and pitfalls of the different methods of conducting party primaries. But as Alexander Pope said, for forms, mode or methods, it’s scarcely necessary to contend because what is best administered is best.

“In other words, there’s nothing inherently so good or bad about Indirect or Direct primary to warrant the ongoing acrimony that may affect other profound provisions of the current Bill, given that this issue of Direct primary is just one item in the entire one Bill.

“We must avoid a repeat of the 3rd term situation whereby just one obnoxious item in a single Bill truncated the entire Bill. We must bear in mind that one common formula for success in any approach chosen depends on the sincerity of those who lead and manage these parties as well as those who participate in those primaries conducted by political parties.”

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