Abuja, Nigeria
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is seeking new powers to appoint State Directors of Elections (SDEs).
The electoral umpire said the amendment of the 1999 constitution and the Electoral Act 2022 would pave the way for the new powers.
TheCable reports that the proposal was made known during the commission’s retreat with the joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on electoral matters in Lagos.
Mohammad Kuna, special adviser to the chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, said the reforms were necessary for the nation’s electoral legal framework.
According to Kuna, INEC needs the power to appoint State Directors of Elections (SDEs), saying the current state only allows the president to appoint Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to oversee elections in the states.
He said the idea of SDEs is to have the same powers as the RECs.
Kuna added that the commission is proposing an amendment to Section 14(3), Paragraph F of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution.
The proposed change would grant the commission the power to appoint and discipline the heads of state and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) offices who would serve as state directors of elections.
“Amend Section 14 (3) Paragraph F of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution to Confer the Power of Appointing and Disciplining Heads of State and FCT Offices,” the statement reads.
“Amend Section 6 (3) of EA 2022 to confer the power of appointing heads of State and FCT Offices on the Commission.
“Developments in the recent past and especially during and in the aftermath of the 2023 general election suggest the need for the commission to have greater powers to make appointments to the heads of state and FCT offices.”
INEC added that the proposed changes are part of a wider initiative to streamline electoral processes and enhance the integrity and efficiency of future elections.
Last week, the commission said it would approach the National Assembly for an amendment to allow eligible voters to cast their votes in future elections without the need to have permanent voter cards (PVCs).
