SENATE DIRECTS INEC TO ESTABLISHED POLLING UNITS FOR IDPs The Senate on Tuesday, directed its committee on Independent National Electoral Commission, toliaise with the authorities of INEC to establishspecial polling units for the Internally DisplacedPersons who were victims of the on-goinginsurgency in the North-East.The upper chamber arrived at the decision after anextensive debate on a bill for the amendment tothe Electoral Act 2014, sponsored by the Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District,Senator Ali Ndume.Ndume’s bill was seeking an amendment tosection 42 of the Electoral Act to make provisionsfor the enfranchisement of the IDPs in their variouscamps nationwide.He argued that since the quality of elections wasusually not only measured by the extent to whichthe franchised is guaranteed and elections areimpartially administered for the majority of voters,but also by accommodations to enfranchise voterswho are marginalized in polity.He therefore said since countries like Afghanistan,Syria, Cuba, and Iraq among who suffered seriousconflicts that led to the displacement of many oftheir citizens, had incorporated the IDPs in theirelectoral system, Nigeria too should do the same.He said, “Elections are an important means whichIDPs can have a say in the political, economic andsocial decision affecting their lives. As citizens ofthe country in which they are uproot, IDPs areentitled to vote and participate in public affairs.“Disenfranchisement of IDPs call into doubt thelegitimacy of the forthcoming elections. Let usborrow examples from Afghanistan, Syria, Cuba,Iraq and so on, who have all incorporated IDPsinto their electoral system.”The senators who contributed to the debate agreedthat the passage of Ndume’s bill may not benecessary since the process of the amendment it isseeking might not be completed before theforthcoming general elections.They therefore suggested that the senate passedher resolution that would mandate the INEC toensure that the interest of all the displaced personsare taken care of during the 2015 polls.Senate President, David Mark, who presided overthe session, said, “When we have a large InternallyDisplaced Persons, they should vote irrespective oftheir locations. However the process of amendingthe Electoral Act as being suggested by the bill islong.”The senators therefore voted for the withdrawal ofNdume’s bill and instead passed a resolution,directing its INEC committee to ensure that theelectoral body put all necessary measures in placeto make sure that all IDPs nationwide, exercisetheir franchise in the forthcoming election. Source Nigerian Independent Magazine.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 16:04:23 +0000
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