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From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed plans to put mechanism in place to sanitise political party primaries and end the era of opaque processes of imposing unpopular candidates, fuelling voter apathy and deluge of avoidable litigation.
INEC chairman, Joash Amupitan, revealed the plan in his remarks at the commission’s meeting with the leadership of the political parties in Abuja, yesterday.
Giving an update on the political party operations, Amupitan said: “Clear guidelines have been instituted to govern the day-to-day functioning of political parties, ensuring compliance with our laws and promoting accountability.
“This aims at sanitising party primaries to end the era of opaque processes that impose unpopular candidates, fuelling voter apathy and a deluge of avoidable litigations,” he noted.
He also threw light on the conduct of political primaries, political rallies, processions and campaigns, saying, “We recognise the critical role of primary elections in our political system. Thus, we have outlined procedures that uphold fairness and transparency within political parties.
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“Regulations have been put in place to ensure that campaign activities are conducted peacefully and respect the rights and dignity of all citizens,” he said.
On finances and election expenses, he added: “We have established clear standards regarding the financing of political activities, emphasising the need for transparency and accountability in managing party funds and campaign expenses.”
Raising fears of possible deregistration of political parties, he said: “We have also included provisions that define the circumstances under which a political party may be deregistered, ensuring that the process is just and equitable.
“We have also embedded measurable benchmarks for the participation of women, youth and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). By sharpening these rules, we are protecting the sovereign will of the Nigerian people from the point of nomination to the final declaration of results.
“As we move forward, I further urge each of you to engage with these regulations constructively. This is an opportunity for us to create an electoral environment that not only reflects the aspirations of our people but also serves as a testament to our collective commitment to democratic governance.
“The newly drafted regulations encompass crucial areas that are central to the operations of political parties in our democratic framework, including the registration and merger of political parties. We have streamlined the process to ensure that it is more accessible while maintaining a robust framework that upholds democratic principles,” he said.
