Leadership (Abuja)
28 May 2008
Abuja — Plateau State chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has recommended that future election results be certified by the court before they are announced.
The NBA made the submission yesterday through Okafor Ofodile, SAN, at the on-going public hearing of the Electoral Reform Committee, holding at the Hill Station Hotel, Jos.
"The announcement of results and the issuance of certificate of returns have turned to a purely administrative matter, which most times have nothing to do with the election process or outcome," it said.
NBA also recommended for the independence of INEC and said that the sole appointing authority of its chairman and members by the President must be reversed.
It also proposed a system of appointment, whereby the Chief Justice of the Federation, the President, the Senate, the House of Representatives and the Civil Society Coalition nominate a member each.
"These candidates will then elect a chairman among themselves. These nominations should be subject to the ratification of the Senate," it added.
NBA said the process of appointment to INEC should be open and competitive and recommended the scrapping of State Electoral Commissions.
It said that INEC should be empowered to conduct both state and federal elections.
It also recommended that, Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) be members of INEC to enable it have control over them and that their appointments be subject to the confirmation of the Senate.
The body suggested that all funds accruable to INEC be charged to the consolidated account of the federation without the interference of the Federal Government.
According to the NBA, the National Bureau for Statistics should be charged with the registration and maintenance of voters register, while INEC should be restricted to conducting elections. (NAN)
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