Osun Electoral Reform Committee begins Public Sitting
The Osun State Electoral Reform Committee inaugurated by Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola has commenced its public sitting with Ife, Ilesa, Ede and Iwo constituencies already covered.
A Statement issued by the publicity secretary of the committee, Mrs Adeyemi Omojola said the committee led by its chairman, who is also the the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Niyi Owolade, commended those who had submitted memoranda to the committee.
The committee is to collate views of stakeholders in the state for submission to the National Reform Panel set up by President Umaru Yar’ Adua.
At the sittings, according to the statement, various groups, politicians, NGO’s and individuals including the media submitted memoranda on the review of the electoral system.
The stakeholders in attendance at the various sittings, the statement said expressed their happiness at the opportunity given them to contribute to the reform exercise.
Many of them canvassed a truly independent electoral commission for the country while others said the 1999 constitution and Electoral Act 2006 should be amended in such a way that credible elections would be possible in the future.
While calling on people to still come up with more memoranda on their contribution to nation building, the statement also urged the people to see the review of the electoral system as a joint responsibility and be part of the process.
Terms of reference of the committee include undertaking a review of Nigeria’s general elections and identify factors which affect their quality and credibility.
Others include an examination of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act, examining the role of stakeholders in shaping and impacting on the credibility of the electoral process, examining electoral systems relevant to Nigeria’s experience and identify best practises and make specific recommendations this will ensure a truly independent electoral commission with administrative and financial autonomy.
They are also to get views on how to evolve an electoral process that would meet acceptable international standards, legal processes that would ensure that election disputes are concluded before the inauguration by newly elected officials and mechanisms to reduce post elections tensions.
