Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), a civil society organisation,
says it is worried about the speed with which the Lagos state house
of assembly passed an amendment to the Lagos electoral, law just
three days to the local government election in the state.
The group also expressed concern over the “mounting tension”
ahead of the exercise scheduled for Saturday.
It expressed its concern in a statement by Abiola
Akiyode-Afolabi, its chairman in Abuja, and Sulaimon Arigbagbu,
south-west coordinator.
The group said it is particularly worried about the incessant
violence in some areas of Lagos, predominantly in Mushin, due to
issues surrounding the nomination of candidates.
TMG added that it was worried over the refusal of the Lagos
State Independent Electoral Commission (LAISEC) to make use of card
readers in the exercise.
“We are also concerned about the speed with which the Lagos
state house of assembly passed an amendment to the Lagos electoral
law regulating the conduct of election to allow for the
substitution of a party candidate before the elections,” the
statement read.
“The new bill allows a political party to withdraw and
substitute candidate not later than three (3) days to LASIEC
verification.
“It also states that any candidate can withdraw from contesting
not later than three (3) days to the election by personally taking
a letter of withdrawal to the state secretary of the party involved
who must also personally take same to LASIEC not later than 12noon,
three (3) days to the election.
“TMG is worried about the implications and dangers such
amendment portends on the credibility of the election.
“Furthermore, we are also apprehensive of the implications of
the multiplicity of court cases relating to party candidatures
giving the fact that the election is just three days away.
“Such conflicting decisions could cast aspersion on the
credibility and legitimacy of the elections.
“We also express displeasure over the latest pronouncement by
the authorities of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission
(LAISEC) regarding its planned accreditation plan and observer’s
deployment for the Saturday local government election in Lagos.
“Our concern is further heightened by the refusal by LASIEC to
deploy card reader for the conduct of this coming elections. This
is an anti-climax to the widely acknowledged improvement to our
electoral system during the 2015 general elections.”
The group, therefore, called on LASIEC to reconsider its
decision on the highlighted issues.
“We call on LASIEC to ensure highest standard in the conduct and
administration of the coming Lagos LG/LCDAs elections, by carrying
out their responsibilities in accordance with law, and without fear
or favour,” the group said.
“We hope that LASIEC is committed to an open, genuine, free and
appropriate process that is devoid of any suspicion misgiving in
the process leading to the election.”
Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), a civil society organisation,
says it is worried about the speed with which the Lagos state house
of assembly passed an amendment to the Lagos electoral, law just
three days to the local government election in the state.
The group also expressed concern over the “mounting tension”
ahead of the exercise scheduled for Saturday.
It expressed its concern in a statement by Abiola
Akiyode-Afolabi, its chairman in Abuja, and Sulaimon Arigbagbu,
south-west coordinator.
The group said it is particularly worried about the incessant
violence in some areas of Lagos, predominantly in Mushin, due to
issues surrounding the nomination of candidates.
TMG added that it was worried over the refusal of the Lagos
State Independent Electoral Commission (LAISEC) to make use of card
readers in the exercise.
“We are also concerned about the speed with which the Lagos
state house of assembly passed an amendment to the Lagos electoral
law regulating the conduct of election to allow for the
substitution of a party candidate before the elections,” the
statement read.
“The new bill allows a political party to withdraw and
substitute candidate not later than three (3) days to LASIEC
verification.
“It also states that any candidate can withdraw from contesting
not later than three (3) days to the election by personally taking
a letter of withdrawal to the state secretary of the party involved
who must also personally take same to LASIEC not later than 12noon,
three (3) days to the election.
“TMG is worried about the implications and dangers such
amendment portends on the credibility of the election.
“Furthermore, we are also apprehensive of the implications of
the multiplicity of court cases relating to party candidatures
giving the fact that the election is just three days away.
“Such conflicting decisions could cast aspersion on the
credibility and legitimacy of the elections.
“We also express displeasure over the latest pronouncement by
the authorities of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission
(LAISEC) regarding its planned accreditation plan and observer’s
deployment for the Saturday local government election in Lagos.
“Our concern is further heightened by the refusal by LASIEC to
deploy card reader for the conduct of this coming elections. This
is an anti-climax to the widely acknowledged improvement to our
electoral system during the 2015 general elections.”
The group, therefore, called on LASIEC to reconsider its
decision on the highlighted issues.
“We call on LASIEC to ensure highest standard in the conduct and
administration of the coming Lagos LG/LCDAs elections, by carrying
out their responsibilities in accordance with law, and without fear
or favour,” the group said.
“We hope that LASIEC is committed to an open, genuine, free and
appropriate process that is devoid of any suspicion misgiving in
the process leading to the election.”