European Union's Election observation team in Nigeria stated yesterday that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has some structural flaws which can adversely affect its activities.
EU’s Chief Observer, Santiago Fisas, made the observation during the team’s final report on the March 28 and April 11 general elections presented in Abuja to mark the end of its 10-month observance period of the 2015 elections.
Addressing newsmen, Fisas stated that INEC showed some level of impartiality during the elections, but stated there were institutional procedures that needed to be addressed.
“The law overly restricts INEC’s powers, rendering it insufficiently effective in challenging inappropriate actions,” he stated.
The EU also urged INEC to develop an effective means of maintaining the voter register after a thorough review of the 2010-2014 registration process.
“The plan should include improving biometric functionality, removal of the deceased as well as extending enrolment of new registrants,” he stated.
Other issues raised by the foreign body are abuse of incumbency power, low participation of women in electoral offices, independent candidacy, among others.
It urged the amendment of the Constitution to allow for independent candidacy at all levels, while the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) regulatory authority should be strengthened to avoid abuse of incumbency through the media.
Fisas stated the EU also called on political parties to provide regular and adequate information on the promotion of women’s political participation, while ensuring reasonable time frame for the filing, hearing and determination of pre-election suits.
He stated the detailed recommendations were 30, with 19 of them requiring a change in legislation, while others involved administrative actions by different bodies.