PRESS RELEASE BY AUGUSTINE ALEGEH SAN, FCIArb [UK] PRESIDENT OF THE NIGERIA BAR ASSOCIATION ON THE PROPOSAL BY THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER [NSA] COL SAMBO DASUKI FOR THE POSTPONMENT OF GENERAL ELECTIONS FOR THREE [3] MONTHS. The Nigerian Bar Association is deeply concerned by the statement credited to the National Security Adviser [NSA] Colonel Sambo Dasuki, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] to postpone the forthcoming General elections for a period of three [3] months. The Nigerian Bar Association appreciates that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria [1999] [as Amended] provides for holding of elections “not earlier than one hundred and fifty days and not later than thirty days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of the office” and this puts the cut of date for the general elections on 29th April, 2015. However, the February 14th and 28th dates for the general elections were fixed a long time back and preparations have reached a fever pitch with Political parties traversing the Country seeking for the votes and mandate of the electorate. Instructively, several other statutory cut off dates for the elections [Registration of Voters, closing of voters’ Register, resignation from office of interested contestants, publication of list of candidates for the elections etc.] have been set and complied with based on the dates fixed for the elections. The twin issues of the difficulties associated with the collection of Permanent Voter’s Card [PVC] and the conduct of elections in the North Eastern States of the Country upon which the alleged call for postponement of the elections was based are not new issues that would justify the call for a postponement of the elections so late in the day. A postponement of the Elections would give INEC little room to maneuver and may push the Nation perilously close to a constitutional crisis, if any unforeseen event occasions a further shift of the Election date. On collection of Voter’s Card, there is no assurance that the situation would be different even if the elections are postponed for the three [3] month period. Additionally, positive steps could be taken by INEC to ensure collection of PVCs by voters. The present practice of collection of Permanent Voter’s Card should be replaced with collection of Permanent Voter’s card at the location where the Polling Units would be on Election Day. INEC should request the Government to declare work free days to enable voters collect their voters Cards. There are several other steps that can be taken by INEC to ease the process of collection of voter’s cards. The postponement of the elections is not the reasonable solution to resolve the difficulties associated with collection of PVCs. The NSA should offer Nigerians the assurance that the Boko Haram insurgency would end in three [3] months and in the absence of such a critical assurance the call for postponement of the elections cannot be reasonably justified. We advise the respected NSA to concentrate efforts at dealing with the Boko Haram Insurgency to ensure that elections can be held in the North Eastern states. The Nigerian Bar Association urges INEC to find better ways of resolving difficulties currently being experienced in the collection of PVCs and take the following steps amongst others: Immediately put in place a system for collection of PVCs at the location of the Polling units The period for collection of PVCs should be extended till the 13th of February, 2015 INEC should also request the Federal Government to set aside two work free days for collection of PVCs We hope that all concerned will note that any attempt to postpone the February, 2015 General Elections without just and reasonable cause will adversely affect our standing in the international community and cause severe damage to the foundations of our democracy. DATED 23rd JANUARY, 2015 AUGUSTINE ALEGEH SAN, FCIArb [UK]
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 10:49:40 +0000
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