EU wants parties involved in picking INEC boss

In from Olumide Olaoluwa . . .
The 2015 general elections were marred by violence and abuse of incumbency, the European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission has declared. This is contrary to general beliefs in many quarters that the 2015 elections was one of the most credible ever held in the country.
This perception is mostly fueled by the action of the former president, Goodluck Jonathan who historically conceded defeat, avoiding what many felt could have been unrest and crises if he had behave like most African leaders who refuse to let go of power.
The EU however, also lamented that there was attempted manipulation of the process.
In its final report of the 2015 election presented in Abuja on Wednesday, the European regional body suggested legislature should be enacted to allow for involvement of political parties in the selection of who heads the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
It called for “a more inclusive parliamentary mechanism for cross party involvement in the selection and approval of the INEC chairperson and national commissioners.”
The body pointed out that systemic weakness has made the electoral process vulnerable to abuse by politicians.
The European regional body also called for the amendment of the Constitution to allow for independent candidacy for all elected positions.

Read also: INEC to drive reforms with Kogi, Bayelsa polls

Other recommendations by the EU include: “Merge accreditation and voting processes on election day for ease of access for voters, while maintaining other safeguards, in particular mandatory biometric voter identification (through the use of voter cards and card readers).
“NBC regulatory authority be strengthened (including through the power to grant broadcasting licenses), its monitoring capacities developed, and requirements be established for NBC public reporting on monitoring findings and sanctions applied.
“Reasonable and appropriate time limits for the effective filing, hearing and determination of pre-election suits be established in the legal framework in order for cases to be completed well in advance of election day.”
Chief Observer Santiago Fisas who presented EU Final report to journalists urged stakeholders including members of the National Assembly, civil society groups and other stakeholders to show commitment to electoral reforms.
He advised that legislation be further developed to provide opportunity for implementation of improved practices.

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