The minister of Justice and Attorney General of the federation, Abubakar Malami says the government will undertake a comprehensive legal reform, towards strengthening the nation’s democracy.
INEC’s Chairman expressed concern about the worsening dimension of violence, in the country’s electioneering processes.
TVC News Correspondent, Joke Adisa reports that the minister disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting conveyed by a coalition of civil society organisations to review the conduct of Nigeria’s 2015 general elections, subsequent re-runs and end of term polls.
It’s a platform for strategic discussion on improving the electoral process ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The Justice Minister agrees there is the urgent need to review some of the obsolete laws in the Nigerian constitution and the Electoral Act in order to improve upon the successes of past elections
On its part, Nigeria’s electoral umpire wants legislation and institutional reforms put in place to enable function more satisfactorily.
And arising from the challenges of the last elections, the INEC chairman says the commission has begun the implementation of some of the recommendations within its reach.
One of such is that voters can now vote immediately after accreditation, but he is particularly concerned about the tide of violence surrounding elections in the country
Federal lawmakers are promising support for this latest initiative aimed at strengthening the nation’s nascent democracy.
Among issues for discussion are the legislative responses to the identified gaps and challenges of the 2015 general elections, and time frame and strategies for immediate electoral reforms.
The Justice Minister and the National Assembly anxiously await the outcome of this stakeholders meeting on electoral reforms as this will determine their next line of action.
