Less than 20 months to the 2011 general elections, INEC declared Monday in Kaduna that it lacked the legal framework with which to conduct the polls.
Prof. Maurice Iwu, the INEC Chairman, said this at the opening of a four-day retreat organised by the commission on how to overcome its challenges ahead of the forthcoming elections.
Iwu said: ``It is also troubling that less than 20 months to the next general elections, the issue of electoral and constitutional reforms is still being debated.’’
He pointed out that the non-resolution of the electoral laws barely two years to the upcoming polls posed a ``direct danger to the conduct of a smooth election’’.
According to him, if the four pitfalls identified by the commission in 2005 were not urgently resolved, the 2011 elections would be impaired.
The chairman listed the problems to include eradication of electoral violence, excessive influence of money in politics, gender inequalities and unwholesome mindset of the political class.
Iwu appealed to the authorities concerned to kindly expedite action on the on-going processes and procedures for electoral and constitutional reforms to strengthen the country’s democracy.
He also urged the National Assembly to amend the INEC Act 2006, to strengthen the operations of the commission.
While cautioning against unwieldy composition and multiple electoral agencies, he canvassed for punishment of electoral offenders, enhanced INEC autonomy and introduction of electronic voting.
Iwu also enumerated his achievements to include the production of electronic voters’ register, customised constituency-specific ballot papers, establishment of an electoral training institute, institutional reforms, upgraded INEC IT and first ever successful civilian transition.
The chairman who pledged to work closely with the CSOs and political parties to improve service delivery, he urged stakeholders to ensure total compliance with all existing laws.
Iwu explained that the retreat was designed to review all sectors of administrative structure and operations ahead of the 2011 polls and evolve concrete alternative plans for possible changes in the electoral laws.
Declaring the retreat open, Gov. Namadi Sambo of Kaduna state, charged the participants to introduce strategies for a better performance in 2011.
still confused with the Represented by his deputy, Mr Patrick Yakowa, the governor advised them to use the challenges of 1999, 2003 and 2007 general elections as the parameters for the desired improvement.
He pledged the support of his administration to provide a conducive atmosphere for the conduct of ``a peaceful, free, fair and credible elections’’.
National Target also reports that the retreat was being attended by all the INEC national commissioners, 37 resident electoral officers and top management staff of the electoral ombudsman.
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