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The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has advised the National Assembly (NASS) to initiate the process of expunging the contentious clause 84 (12) in the Electoral Act 2022.
The IPAC National Chairman, Mr Yabagi Yusuf, told newsmen on Monday in Abuja that the committee was in support of reservation by President Muhammadu Buhari that clause 84 (12) of the Act is contrary to the provisions of Sections 40 and 42 of the Constitution.
“We share the views of the President on the Clause which makes it mandatory for political appointees to resign from their positions before participating as delegates at political party congresses and conventions, or as aspirants to elective offices.
“To us in IPAC, this Clause runs contrary to the provisions of Sections 40 and 42 of the Constitution on the inalienable fundamental rights of every eligible citizen to participate in the electoral processes.
“Accordingly, the IPAC is calling on the National Assembly to, as a matter of urgency, initiate the process of amending the new Act by expunging the contentious Clause.
“While doing so will be in keeping with the understanding between the National Assembly and the President, the amendment will also be bringing the Act in tune with the Constitution.
“The constitution which categorically stipulates that political office holders are only to vacate their positions or appointments thirty (30) days before the elections,” Yusuf said.
While commending Buhari for signing the Amended Electoral Act, the IPAC national chairman described it as a turning point in the nation’s democracy.
He lauded the president for his statesmanship, political will and commitment to the advancement of democracy in the country by assenting to the Act.
He said IPAC was not unaware of the tremendous pressure mounted on the president by several interests opposed to the Act on the ground that the transformative and progressive provisions of the new election regulatory rules, would amount to the erosion of their capabilities to manipulate the electoral process.
“With this singular act, Mr President has succeeded in etching his name in gold in the annals of the nation’s march on the path of democracy and good governance that is consequent on credible elections.”
Yusuf added that with the Electoral Act and its revolutionary provisions and innovations, there were silver-linings appearing on the nation’s political and democratic firmaments.
“It is a transformational departure from an inglorious era to a new dawn in the ways and manner of conducting elections in Nigeria.
“Highlights of the new Electoral Act that inspire hope includes the clause that stipulates that fund for general elections must be released at least, one year before the elections.
“This, in the opinion of IPAC, will provide the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the requisite time-span and scope for proper and adequate preparations without the usual encumbrances resulting from delays and red-tapes experienced in the remittance of funds from the government.
“This is just as Section 94 of the Act stipulates early commencement of campaign seasons at least, 150 days to elections.
“This provision has the advantage of giving the political parties and candidates, sufficient time to get to the electorate with their manifestos.
“Equally exciting in the new Electoral Act is the provision that empowers political parties to conduct a primary election to replace a candidate who died in am election.”
Yusuf added that the electronic transmission of election results from the polling units through to the collation centres, saying “we in the IPAC are confident that the practice of distorting figures of votes cast, may have become history”.
“We believe that the provisions in the Act for the application of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation and Authentication System (BVAS) as well as the other technologies and digitisation in the electoral process, will tremendously enhance the integrity and credibility of future elections in the country.”
Yusuf added that IPAC was also elated by Clause 54 of the Electoral Act 2022, which makes it mandatory for the INEC to make special provisions for People Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) and those with special needs.
He also commended the leadership and members of the 9th NASS for their courage, patriotism and resilience demonstrated in the nurturing, perfection and passage of the new Electoral Act.
He also commended the leadership of INEC, under Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, for the uncommon courage, steadfastness and vision shown in the crafting and actualisation of the Electoral Act, 2022.
“Barely 24 hours after the Presidential assent, INEC swung into action by announcing new dates in its time table for the 2023 general elections.
“With a shift of one week on each of the schedules in the countdown to the elections, INEC has all the same, deftly ensured that the adjusted time table is in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.”
Yusuf also called on all relevant authorities to abide by the provisions of timely appropriation and release of funds to INEC to make for early and adequate preparations.
