2019: NASS urged to respect INEC’s timetable
The National Assembly has been charged not to embark on “unwarranted interferences” in the constitutional powers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in determining the order of the 2019 general elections.
The convener of Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (NCSSR), who is also the Executive Director of Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Clement Nwankwo, who spoke yesterday on behalf of over 70 civil society organisations (CSOs), said the situation room was determined to carry out nationwide comprehensive and effective observation of the forthcoming 2019 general elections.
He said the CSOs were, however, concerned about the delay in the passage of the amendment to the constitutional and legal framework for the conduct of the 2019 elections.
“Of particular concern are proposals coming from the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act to alter the timetable for the 2019 elections already announced by INEC.
“The proposal by the National Assembly to alter the order of elections already set by INEC is an unwarranted interference in the constitutional powers of INEC to determine the conduct of elections and interferes with the powers of INEC to carry out its electoral duties without directives or control from any person or authority using the instrumentality of legislation. This is unacceptable and is hereby condemned.
“The National Assembly needs to backtrack from passing a self-serving legislation that contradicts constitutional guarantee of the independence of INEC,” Nwankwo said.
Daily Trust reports that the re-arrangement of the order of general elections in 2019 is one of the several amendments done to the Electoral Act 2010 by the House of Representatives at its plenary on Tuesday.