ELECTORAL REFORM AND FUTURE OF NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY

While taking over the mantle of leadership of this great country in two thousand and seven, President Umaru Yar’adua admitted that his election was characterized with flaws. Thus, he immediately inaugurated a twenty-two man Electoral Reform Panel, headed by a former Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Mohammed Uwais, to carry out a comprehensive review of the country’s electoral system.

Inaugurating the Panel, President Yar’adua tasked the committee to work out a process that would enable the conduct of elections to meet acceptable international standard and make the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) truly independent in name and deed with a view to imbuing it with administrative and financial autonomy and a mechanism to reduce post-election tensions. This is by ensuring the resolution of election disputes before the inauguration of elected officials.

To meet the targets set up by the President and the entire citizenry with respect to elections in Nigeria , the Panel which had notable Nigerians toured the entire country to demand the inputs of Nigerians to electoral reform.

Undoubtedly, the Panel examined the electoral systems relevant to Nigeria ’s experience and best practices that will impact positively on the quality and credibility of the nation’s electoral process.

Hundreds of memoranda were received in which many called for a two-party system, adoption of option A4, using National Identity card for voting, suspension of the swearing-in of elected officers whose victory is being challenged in the tribunal and introduction of independent candidates to enable persons not interested in any political party seek elective positions.

As expected, the Panel submitted its report to the President and subsequently, electoral related bills are now before the two chambers of the National Assembly with a view to reviewing the two thousand and six electoral act and relevant sections of the nineteen ninety-nine constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

To this end, the Senate last week began a remarkable move with the approval of independent candidates in the next general elections. During a clause by clause consideration of the electoral bill, the Senate approved the amendment to section sixty-five of the constitution to pave the way for the emergence of independent candidates.

Series of amendments were also passed bordering on issues that will ensure the sanctity of the vote of the people, by ensuring more electoral transparency and also making sure that the Independent National Electoral Commission is truly independent. With the amendments, Persons willing to become the President or state Governor must be a graduate.

Speaking on the development, the Senate President, David Mark expressed confidence that the amendments would be replicated in the House of Representatives and in the thirty-six state Houses of Assembly.

Well, the actions of the Lawmakers are commendable, but all other impediments to credible, free and fair elections must be critically examined.

Nigeria , the giant of Africa , must do everything humanly possible to conduct free and transparent elections for others to emulate.