By Ben Ogbemudia, Abuja
Dr. Shaibu Danwanka, the legal adviser, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Abuja has said the Electoral Act, 2022 appears desirable with flamboyant provisions that will no doubt strengthen the Electoral process to a certain degree of fairness and credibility.

Danwanka who presented paper on a topic titled, ” Highlighting the substantive and noteworthy provisions in the Electoral act, 2022 in comparison with the Electoral act, 2010 at a two days workshop for selected journalists in Nigeria by Konrad ADENAUER STIFTUNG said the impact of all the innovations discussed will only be realised if the critical stakeholders, INEC, Political Parties, judiciary and candidates remain committed and sincere in discharging their obligations or playing their roles with high sense of justice, fairness and integrity

He therefore called for the establishment of Electoral Offences Commission and establishment of National Commission for Registration and Regulation of political parties.

He also said that the paucity of mechanisms to regulate internal democracy is lacking in the amendment act, while lamenting
inadequate mechanisms to enhance electoral accountability in the system.

Dr. Danwanka fault defection from one party to another by political office holders, as complained that the Electoral Act also failed to address it.

While lamenting the role of youths in the political process, Immunity for elected executives, Danwanka urged federal government to immediately consolidated INEC or unbundled it.

Earlier, Samson Itodo, Executive director, YIAGA Africa presented paper on the, “Overview of Electoral reforms in Nigeria’s fourth republic, 1999 to 2022.

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The workshop continues tomorrow with more papers to be presented.