Confab committee Advocates 10-year ban for electoral offenders

The National Conference Committee on Political Parties and Electoral Matters has recommended 10 years ban for anybody convicted of any electoral offence from contesting any election.
The report of the committee was presented to the plenary of conference on Monday by its Co-Chairmen, Iyorchia Ayu and Ken Nnamani.
“Any person convicted of any electoral offence should be disqualified for ten years from the date of conviction from contesting any election.
“Such a person should be disqualified from holding any elective or appointive position either in government or political party,” the committee recommended.
It named the offences to include registration, campaign finance and political party finance breaches.
The committee also recommended that any action challenging the conduct of primaries by a political party shall be filed within 14 days of the cause of action.
The committee called for the enforcement of code of conduct for political parties already drawn up by the Inter-Party Advisory Council.
In the course of screening nominees of the President for any Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, position, the committee recommended that the Senate should set aside at least two weeks to allow for public objection.
The committee also recommended that to enhance party’s independence and discipline, all members must submit themselves to the principle of party supremacy.
According to it, all elected members of the party must respect party decisions at all times.
On the conduct of election, the committee recommended that biometric data of all voters should be captured, stored and used for elections.
It also recommended that INEC should ensure that the latest technology was deployed at all times in the conduct of elections as obtained in other climes.
The committee also recommended that relevant sections of the Constitution and the Electoral Act be amended to provide for independent candidacy during elections.
Delegates are expected to conclude debate on the report on Tuesday for adoption.
(NAN)