Posted by By Isaac Olamikan on
The United Nigeria Peoples Party (UNPP) in Bayelsa State has asserted that one of the ways to check electoral fraud in the state is to relocate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office which is presently opposite the Government House in Yenagoa to another location.
The United Nigeria Peoples Party (UNPP) in Bayelsa State has asserted that one of the ways to check electoral fraud in the state is to relocate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office which is presently opposite the Government House in Yenagoa to another location.
The party made the suggestion in its contribution to debate on electoral reforms when the Senate Committee on Review of Electoral Law came to Port Harcourt recently.
Going down memory lane to back up its submission, the party recalled that during the 2003 polls road leading to the INEC office were barricaded with armed policemen and military operatives, leaving only free movement or access between the INEC office and Government House.
UNPP said only officials and members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were given free access to the INEC office.
It also kicked against the subsequent appointment of INEC staff as political appointees in the government.
"There is every need for the Senate Committee to probe into such abuse of office, so as to promote efficiency, dedication, transparency and commitment to service", the party added.
On the use of security personnel to commit electoral fraud, the UNPP told the senate committee to come up with a law that will make it illegal for politicians to employ the services of security personnel to be used for electoral fraud.
It also suggested that there should be a time limit for the conclusion of all cases relating to the elections.