Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) has expressed satisfaction Constitution and Electoral Reform Committee for engaging in wide consultation across the country which culminated in the recommendations that would guide the Federal Government in preparation of various proposals for the amendments of the Constitution towards an improved electoral system in Nigeria.
The AGF made this known when he received the final report of the Constitution and Electoral Reform Committee chaired by former Senate President, Dr. Ken Nnamani at the Ministry on Tuesday in Abuja, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the AGF, Salihu Othman Isah, has revealed this in a statement.
Isah quoted the minister as saying, “All of you will recall that it is in furtherance of the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari towards an effective electoral process in Nigeria that he directed me to set up the Constitution and Electoral Reform Committee (CERC) in order to take a holistic look at the electoral environment and make recommendations on needed reforms”.
Malami said he was glad because the Committee had made recommendations on how to strengthen the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the participation of independent candidates, the management of political parties and tackling of electoral offences.
He also added other issues of note that attracted the Committee’s interest are management of electoral dispute resolution and specific legal provisions impacting on electoral process as well as issues affecting the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), use of technology in elections, diaspora voting and special access for persons with disabilities.
“I am happy that the Committee took time to draft bills that will impact on relevant provisions of the Constitution, the Electoral Amendment ACT, Political Parties and Electoral Offences Commission and the Constituency Delimitation Centre”.
He further explained that the inauguration of the CERC on Tuesday 4th October, 2016 was the first major step taken towards realizing the goal of the present administration to improve Nigeria’s electoral process and to stop wanton destruction and violence often associated with failure of law enforcement agencies to tackle electoral fraud.
The AGF said the President has appointed and after legislative confirmation, had sworn in commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission to enable the Commission carry out its constitutional and statutory mandates. Also named were 27 Resident Electoral Commissioners, who would manage the electoral process in various states in the country.
He added that “it is our goal to change the unethical way in which electoral officers have managed elections in the past. This government has taken measures to remove all those who collected money to frustrate the 2015 elections from office. More than two hundred (200) INEC officials have been suspended while some are still under investigation or prosecution”.
Malami assured that the committee’s report and draft bills would be submitted to the President immediately for his consideration and transmission to the National Assembly.
He said: “In order to ensure early passage of the Electoral Amendment Bills, we urge Nigerians and all those who are involved in the electoral process in one way or the other to support the Federal Government’s efforts towards a vibrant electoral process. We also urge civil society groups to engage with the National Assembly to pass the Bill as soon as it is transmitted.”
He thanked the chairman and members for their commitment towards improving the electoral environment.
Malami equally recognized the role of the development partners especially the British Department for International Development and the United States based National Democratic Institute for their support towards a strong and enduring electoral system in Nigeria.
In his remarks, Nnamani said that the committee was grateful to President Buhari for the opportunity to serve the nation through the panel.
He also thanked the AGF for the technical and logistical support he provided for the Committee in carrying out its assignment.
The chairman appreciated everyone who contributed to the success of the committee in carrying out its assignment, especially Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu who personally participated in one of its retreats and shared his wealth of experience in election matters and law-making.
Nnamani also saluted the DFID for their financial and technical support.
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