- EKOHOTBLOG , 9TH DECEMBER, 2020
- The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) explains the need for the digitalization of Nigeria’s electoral system.
In a statement on Wednesday, CDD Director, Idayat Hassan, told the National Assembly Joint Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to consider the suggestion.
The committee on Wednesday held a public hearing on the Bill to Repeal the Electoral Act No. 5, 2010 (As Amended) and Enact the Independent National Electoral Commission Act 2020.
According to CDD, for an electoral system to be transparent, credible, free and fair and above all, meet the expectation of citizens, the law governing the electoral architecture must be spotless from electoral malfeasants.
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“CDD firmly holds that it is time to digitalize our electoral system and make our laws inclusive. While the peoples of Nigeria are male and female, as expressed in the preamble of the Constitution, “We the people”, our laws and by extension this Bill continue to refer to holders of position and voters as “he and him.”
“The CDD recommends a gender-neutral and sensitive language in present-day legislation. Masculine languages used in our laws are gender-biased and undermines women and girls’ political participation, which further hinders inclusive governance in Nigeria. We believe, the Electoral Act should correct these male-dominant narratives in legal drafting.
“Having reviewed the proposed Bill, we assert that its Section 8 (4A) should not encourage the Commission’s appointment of a member of a political party. The Section reads: A person who, being a member of a Political Party, misrepresents himself by not disclosing his membership, affiliation, or connection to any Political Party to secure an appointment with the Commission in any capacity, commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine of N5,000,000 or imprisonment for a term of not less than five years or both.”
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