By Nathaniel Zaccheaus, Abuja
The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), an umbrella body of all the registered political parties in Nigeria, yesterday suggested that presidential, governorship, national, and state assembly elections should be held in one day, in line with global best practices.
The political parties explained that holding all elections on a single day would reduce cost, enhance efficiency, and reduce electoral crimes.
The IPAC Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, read the proposal at a three-day retreat on amendments to the Electoral Act 2022.
The Joint National Committee on Electoral Matters organised it with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) in Abuja.
At yesterday’s National Assembly Retreat, IPAC also sought a review of the Electoral Act to accommodate holding all elections in one day.
Presenting the IPAC resolution on occasion, the IPAC Chairman, Danielle, said, “This memo conveys the position of all the Political Parties in Nigeria as the electoral law affects all evenly, without equivocation.”
He said, “Considering the aforesaid, the Inter-Party Advisory Council do hereby submit this proposal as its input and memorandum on the review and amendment of the Electoral Act 2022 for the benefit of all the citizens of Nigeria.
“First, holding of election in one day – Section 28: We propose an amendment to the Electoral Act that would require the conduct of all elections – Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship, and State House of Assembly on a single day.
“The current staggered system of elections is not cost-effective, as the nation is almost always shut down for several days whenever elections are held.
“Furthermore, voter turnout declines after the first significant poll in a staggered election cycle.
“A single-day election would reduce costs, minimize disruptions to economic and academic activities, maintain voter enthusiasm, and address logistical challenges.
“The logistical challenges of conducting elections across Nigeria are significant, particularly when spread over multiple days.
“A one-day election simplifies the process by reducing the need for repeated transportation and storing sensitive electoral materials.
“It also reduces the risk of logistical failures, delays, and the potential loss or mishandling of electoral materials. Conducting elections in one day aligns with International best practices and could enhance the efficiency, integrity, and cost-effectiveness of the electoral process in Nigeria.”
IPAC also sought an amendment to Section 51(2) of the Electoral Act, which deals with overvoting, and proposed that the INEC presiding officer cancel the results of a polling unit where the number of votes cast exceeds the number of accredited voters in the technological device for that polling unit.
It further proposed that INEC conduct local government elections, as opposed to the current practice of electoral bodies created by state governors carrying out the task.
The proposal read, “The responsibility for conducting local government elections by State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) should be removed and be given to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“A centralised management of electoral processes will ensure transparency as INEC’s standard procedures guarantee consistency in electoral standards nationwide.
“INEC has a greater propensity to remain impartial than SIECs, and this will inspire confidence in local government elections,
“INEC’s resources and expertise will streamline electoral processes, improve electoral integrity, enhance voter trust, increase participation in local governance, and reduce political office attractiveness.”
IPAC also sought the review of party primaries, penalties, and punishment for electoral offenders and INEC officials who compromise the electoral process or institutional frustration of petitioners through deliberate delay in releasing relevant certified materials.
The Council also proposed extending the time for accreditation during elections to ensure that all eligible voters have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote.
Other proposals are, “All electoral appeals to be determined before certificates of return are issued and swearing in of winners in all elections
“The timeline for aggrieved candidates to file their petition should be increased to 21 days from the election date.
“INEC audit of political party campaign spending should be restricted to sources of funds and not on electoral expenses since INEC is not funding political parties.
“Candidates of other political parties in an election should be able to appeal against malpractice or infraction and non-compliance of opponents in other political parties and not to be seen as strictly an internal affair of political parties.
“Political parties to comply strictly with the provisions of their Party constitutions in the conduct of primaries in all elections.
“Voter’s register should be synchronized with National Identity Number (NIN) to reduce the chances of non-Nigerians participation in our elections as it poses a National Security threat. Election appeal processes should be reduced to speed up the resolution of electoral cases.
“To ensure the independence of the electoral umpire, the appointment of INEC Chairman, National Commissioners, and Resident Electoral Commissioners should not be the responsibility of the Executive.
“Rather, interested Candidates for these offices should publicly express interest and be elected by selected credible Civil Society organizations and representatives of all Political Parties after a careful screening by the Department of State Services.
“Rather than deregistration of Political Parties that failed to win a Council seat in an election season, Political Parties should be categorized according to how they fared in elections.
“Penalties should be provided for perpetrators of vote buying during elections both the buyer and the seller,” among other proposals.”
