Confab scraps state electoral commissions

The delegates took this decision while considering committee report on political parties and electoral matters in the plenary on Tuesday.The conference said SIECs have outlived their usefulness and become tool for governors to manipulate elections into local government councils. Delegates also set the minimum academic qualification for candidates seeking elective positions, saying people contesting presidential, […]

The delegates took this decision while considering committee report on political parties and electoral matters in the plenary on Tuesday.
The conference said SIECs have outlived their usefulness and become tool for governors to manipulate elections into local government councils.
Delegates also set the minimum academic qualification for candidates seeking elective positions, saying people contesting presidential, governorship and National Assembly elections must have first degree or its equivalent.
Aspirants seeking to contest for States Houses of Assembly and Local Government Chairmanship elections must possess first degree certificate or its equivalent while Secondary School Leaving Certificate or its equivalent was set as the minimum academic qualification for local government councilors.
Conference also accepted a recommendation for the establishment of a Political Parties Regulation and Electoral Offences Commission to be vested with various responsibilities connected with electoral matters.
On the appointment of INEC chairman, the conference accepted the recommendation of the Justice Mohammed Uwais Report regarding the manner of appointing the INEC chairman.
The delegates also resolved that any elected official, executive or legislative who engages in cross-carpeting, regardless of the reasons for such, shall automatically forfeit his or her seat.
To encourage youth participation in electoral process, the conference resolved that the minimum age for candidates seeking to contest elections into States House of Assemblies should be 25.
It was resolved that government houses, cars and other facilities and resources should not be used for the partisan interests of any political party.
The conference also agreed that in multi-party systems, parties can only contest local government elections, state elections and federal elections should be allowed to exist.
Delegates voted that May 29 should no longer be seen and observed as Democracy Day.