The Chairman of Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC),
Prof. Attahiru Jega, has called on
National Assembly to be decisive in
reforming the Electoral Act and
reviewing the Constitution.
Jega made the call at a Dinner
organised for him by the Nigeria
Labour Congress, the Trade Union
Congress and some civil society
organisations in Abuja on Friday night.
“Electoral reform has just began, a lot
more efforts needs to be done.
“The Justice Muhammed Uwais panel
has a lot of good recommendations
which are yet to be taken on board
and implemented.
“I think between now and 2019, there
is sufficient time and scope for us to
be able to ensure that additional
reform methods can come in.
“We made a recommendation two
years ago for amendment to the
electoral act and the constitution to
improve the legal framework before
2015 general elections.
“Regrettably, it did not materialise up
to the time we did the elections, and
the existing legal framework is fairly
good.
“It could have been better if the legal
frame work had been improved.”
He called on the National Assembly to
continue to support INEC and give it
the necessary encouragement
required to improve on the good
foundation that had been laid out.
Jega pledged to continuous to
support future electoral reforms and
improvement in the electoral process
in the country.
He commended INEC commissioners
and staff for their support and efforts
under very difficult circumstances for
successful elections in 2015.
He also commended the labour
movement for their continuous
support for INEC and the reforms in
the electoral process.
The NLC President, Mr Ayuba Wabba,
said the reforms which the INEC boss
brought to bear on the organisation
reflected in the 2015 general elections.
“With commitment, patriotic and
honest disposition, Jega was able to,
through administrative wizardly,
accomplish the historic success of
2015 general elections.
“That was how Jega was able to outwit
our chronic election riggers out of
relevance in the innovations of the
permanent voter card and card
readers,” he said.
Wabba advised that whoever would
be the next INEC boss should
continue with the benchmark set by
Jega.
He said Nigerians would not accept a
reversal of the progress made with
the 2015 general elections where the
will of the people was truly reflected in
the ballot.
Wabba called for the full
implementation of Uwais report,
adding that it would go a long way to
achieve full credibility in the conduct
of elections.
Mr Salisu Mohammed, Chairman,
Labour Party Caretaker Committee,
said it was time for Nigerians to build
institutions that would have enduring
legacies.
“What happened in the National
Assembly is a cause for concern for all
who have concern for Nigeria’s future.
“It shows that our democracy is still in
infancy and if care is not taken, we
may suffer serious setback’’, he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports
that Jega will retire as the Chairman of
INEC on Tuesday.

Source:
today.ng/news/be-decisive-in-reforming-electoral-act-jega-urges-national-assembly/

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