Reps move to strip INEC of power to register, regulate political parties

Reps move to strip INEC of power to register, regulate political parties

 A bill seeking to establish an independent authority for the
registration and regulation of political parties scaled second reading at the
house of representatives. 

The bill is sponsored by Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the
house, and Marcus Onobun, a lawmaker from Edo state.

 

The proposed legislation aims to remove political party
registration and regulation from the jurisdiction of the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) and transfer them to a new agency.

 

Leading the debate during plenary on Thursday, Onobun said
the proposed legislation will ensure transparency in the electoral process.

 

He suggested that INEC, which is responsible for organising
polls across the country, was overstretched and should focus solely on
conducting elections.

 

“All stakeholders in the electoral process are ad idem with
the fact that no nation can elect credible leaders and experience good
governance where the process of electing her leaders is marred by
irregularities,” he said.

 

“People believe that election integrity depends on free,
fair, impartial and transparent process for registering political parties and
for conducting elections.

 

“Many citizens have rightly or wrongly blamed the election
umpire in Nigeria, the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), for election
irregularities.

 

“Irrespective of the divide one may find himself, what is
indisputable is the fact that our electoral process needs a surgical operation.

 

“In a country of over 200 million people, it is suggested
that INEC is overwhelmed with the onerous task of registering political
parties, regulating political parties, overseeing coalition and mergers while
also conducting the presidential, national assembly, governorship and state
houses of assembly elections.

 

“Therefore, to improve on our electoral process and the
management of political parties, it is desirous that we have a different authority
that will be responsible for the registration and regulation of political
parties activities; and also to ensure that registered political parties comply
with constitutional and other statutory requirements while INEC concentrates on
its primary assignment of conducting elections to ensure a more proficient,
seamless and transparent democratic process in Nigeria.”

 

 

Under the proposed law, a new body, Office of the Registrar
of Political Parties, would be created to oversee political party registration,
monitor funding, and enforce regulations.

 

The proposed legislation intends to also establish a
political party disputes tribunal to resolve conflicts among members.

 

The bill includes provisions for penalties against political
parties and their members to ensure compliance with statutory requirements.

 

“The credibility, health and wellbeing of every democracy
are hinged on the effective regulation of the political parties,” the lawmaker
said.

 

“Therefore, to ensure a transparent and stable democracy, it
cannot be business as usual for political parties and key actors where anything
goes. It is my prayer to you my honorable colleagues to support and pass this
bill. If we must save our democracy, the time to act is now.”

 

The bill was unanimously adopted when it was put to a voice
vote by Abbas who presided over the plenary.

Source: Reps move to strip INEC of power to register, regulate political parties

 - NigerianEye
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