Delimitation of constituencies are overdue - Lawmaker tells INEC
- A Rivers state lawmaker has called on INEC to review the electoral Act for the delimitation of constituencies in Nigeria
- The lawmaker said INEC must learn to adhere to laid down rules which would ensure that delimitation is covered in the constitution
- According to the lawmaker, the attitude of INEC in carrying out its functions is discouraging
A lawmaker of the House of Representatives, Farah Dagogo, has warned that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) does not need a constitutional amendment for delimitation of constituencies in Nigeria.
Dagogo while speaking at a press conference in Abuja said some sections of the Electoral Act must be amended to ensure a quality electoral process in Nigeria.
The lawmaker also noted that INEC as a body must adhere to laid down rules which would ensure that delimitation is covered in the constitution.
Reacting to comments by some officials of INEC recently on the issue, Dagogo said the attitude of the electoral body in carrying out its functions is discouraging.
Dagogo said that INEC has been mandated by law to divide every state in the federation into a number of state constituencies within that state at an interval of 10-years.
In a motion sponsored by Dagogo, and listed on the floor of the House of Representatives on Thursday, February 6, the lawmaker noted that the position of the constitution on that matter is explicit and devoid of any ambiguity.
He said the constitution also provided that a House of Assembly of a state shall consist of not less than 24 and not more than 40 members.
Source: UGC
"Rivers state has 13 members in the House of Representatives and a 32 member state House of Assembly, by interpretation of the constitution, the state is qualified for additional seven-state constituencies," Dagogo state.
Listing other states like Plateau, Oyo, Sokoto, Borno, Anambra, Bauchi, Delta and Akwa Ibom, Dogogo said the electoral body is focusing on amendments of some sections of the electoral acts rather than enforcement of the constitution.
Meanwhile, Nigeria's 18 remaining parties on Tuesday, February 11 backed the recent deregistration of 74 political parties by INEC.
In a communique signed at the end of an emergency meeting by the political parties under the umbrella of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), the council said the action of INEC was constitutional.
Legit.ng previously reported that a coalition of political parties in Nigeria on Monday, February 17, called on deregistered parties to work together in the interest of Nigeria.
The coalition said the deregistered parties must look beyond its plight and INEC actions against it to ensure that the nature of politics in Nigerian is given a new narrative.
According to the coalition, deregistered parties should stay away from the usual norm of seeking political office for personal gains.
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