April 08, 2003
Delaying the Elections?
OurRights appears every Tuesday or Thursday in ThisDay newspaper.
In recent weeks, a few political parties and politicians have being mooting the idea of postponing the Nigerian general elections and creating an interim government to run the country. The parties cite among other reasons, fears over INEC’s preparedness and the level of physical insecurity in the country.
Indeed, there are worrying concerns about the elections. First is INEC’s preparations for the elections: Publication of the voters register has only just been made. Most persons who registered do not know if their names are actually on the register and if so what booths they will vote from. The ballot papers for the elections are not known or published to guide voters especially in a country where the illiteracy rate is very high. As well, incidences of violence and physical insecurity are raising serious alarm and worries.
However, Section 64(2) of the Nigerian Constitution is very clear on the circumstances that permit the postponement of elections. It is only the National Assembly, acting on a motion that the country is at war that can suspend elections for a period not exceeding six weeks at a time. Even then, a postponement of elections does not translate to the creation of an interim government! The idea of an interim government has no constitutional basis and cannot be justified.
Nigeria is not at war. While political tension may be high, it is a far cry from war. It is understandable that some of the political parties may be having problems creating structures and articulating a coherent political campaign. It is also possible that politicians jostling for relevance may see the postponement of elections and creation of an interim government as an avenue to reposition themselves.
Already, economic activities in the country is almost at a standstill with millions of Nigerians and the world community delaying business and financial decisions awaiting the successful conclusion of the elections.
All hands will need to be on deck to achieve a successful civilian to civilian transition in Nigeria. The process of building political parties is a continuous one. Politicians and political parties will need to work within the law and to their capacity in the process of building their parties and winning over the peoples’ support. Nigeria cannot afford to indulge in the extra constitutional luxury of postponing a much awaited general election.
CRP urges all the political actors and the Nigerian electorate to brace up to the challenge of voting in just a few days time.
INEC should take every step to address the logistics concerns of Nigerians and know that Nigeria cannot afford an inconclusive and badly organised elections!
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