By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Independent News ExpressIndependent News Express
  • Home
  • International
    InternationalShow More
    United Nations
    4th International Conference On Financing For Development Delivers Renewed Hope And Action For Sustainable Development
    3 months ago
    The African Development Bank and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) scale up drive for sustainable urbanization in Africa
    AfDB, UN-Habitat Scale Up Drive For Sustainable Urbanisation In Africa
    3 months ago
    UN
    North Africa: Green Climate Fund Approves Record $300m For FAO-designed Projects In Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, The Sahel
    3 months ago
    UNICEF
    How Wars Across Middle East, North Africa Affecting Children – UNICEF
    3 months ago
    UNDP
    UN Development Programme Welcomes Historic Deal On Sustainable Development Even Amidst Global Turmoil
    3 months ago
  • Africa
    Africa
    Show More
    Top News
    Africa Leaders Summit: US To Strengthening Partnerships To Meet Shared Priorities
    3 years ago
    President Ruto Rallies Kenyans To Move Nation Forward
    3 years ago
    Tanzania: United Nations Steps Up Efforts To Build Climate Resilience
    2 years ago
    Latest News
     South Africa’s Think 20: Experts Address How Africa Can Bridge Digital Divide And Achieving Financial Inclusion
    1 week ago
    U.S. Africa Command Commander Visits West Africa, Underscores Partnership In Addressing Evolving Terrorism Threat
    2 weeks ago
    West Africa Regional Preparatory Workshop For COP30 On Climate Change Opens In Dakar
    2 weeks ago
    Systemic Racism Against Africans And People Of African Descent In Criminal Justice Systems Is Pervasive
    2 weeks ago
  • Corporate News
    • Media Outreach
  • Politics
    Politics
    Show More
    Top News
    Nobody Can Hijack Our Mandate, Vows Osun Gov, Adeleke
    3 years ago
    PDP To Osun People: Oyetola Is A ‘Political Leprosy’, Run For Cover
    3 years ago
    UI Alumni Association Hails Okowa’s Giant Strides In Delta State
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    EU, ADC Parley: Calls for Electoral Reforms To Guarantee Free, Fair, Credible Polls In Nigeria
    2 days ago
    NSC Chairman To Engage With Youth And Sports Stakeholders At The Nest Centre
    2 months ago
    Edo District Bye-election: SDP Candidate, Hon. Isidahomhen Promises To Pursue Best Interest Of Esanland 
    2 months ago
    PHOTOS: Vinod Obasa Takes Oath Of Office
    2 months ago
  • News
    • Agriculture
    • Breaking News
    • Tech
    • Maritime
    • Crime
    • Art & Culture
    News
    Show More
    Top News
    Pa Abdulfatah Amoo Ayanwale
    Pa Ayanwale Dies At 76, Fidau Prayers Holds 8 August
    2 years ago
    Ondo Governor, Akeredolu Begins Construction Of First Flyover In Akure
    2 years ago
    Celebration Of Life: Reverend Adewumi Jegede Of Later House Of God Assembly Buried Amid Pomp
    1 year ago
    Latest News
    Anambra Traditional Ruler For Burial 9 October
    2 days ago
    Lagos Hosts Eko Skills Development Initiative For Youths
    5 days ago
    October 1: Nationhood Must Translate Into Better Living Conditions For Nigerians, CAPPA Tells FG
    6 days ago
    EX-APC Chairman Sad Over Bandit Killings In Oke-Ode And Other Parts Of Kwara 
    1 week ago
  • Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Concert & Events
    Entertainment
    Show More
    Top News
    Temi Otedola Makes Her Stage Debut In Motherland The Musical
    3 years ago
    Discover Exciting Programmes with Ease on GOtv
    2 years ago
    Nigerian Afrobeat Artiste WONDA Drops Captivating Summer Anthem ‘Ibiza’
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    GOtv Stream vs. Traditional TV: Why Viewers Are Loving the Flexibility
    2 weeks ago
    Securing Africa’s Digital Future: Entertainment in Safe Hands
    2 weeks ago
    BBNaija S10: Joanna, Mide, and Isabella Clash as Denari and Tracy Exit the House
    3 weeks ago
    Akamai Adaptive Media Player 2: Bitmovin And Akamai Set New Streaming Standard
    4 weeks ago
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
    • Love & Life
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Relationship
    • Sex
    Lifestyle
    Show More
    Top News
    Sanwo-Olu Receives TAMPAN Award
    8 months ago
    Radisson Hotel Group Announces Three New Hotels In Nigeria
    2 years ago
    Fanti Carnival Returns To Lagos This Easter Sunday
    6 months ago
    Latest News
    Ambassador Raffy Bello Greets Imperial Majesty, Ooni Enitan-Ogunwusi, As Olojo Festival Begins In Ile-Ife
    2 weeks ago
    Preserving African Culture: Polaris Bank , Chivita, And Danone Support CIKDAS’ Youth Literary Initiative
    1 month ago
    Nigeria, Switzerland Takes Major Steps Towards Repatriation Of Artifacts And Cultural Cooperation
    1 month ago
    Archbishop Ugorji Hails St. Helen’s Choir As One of the Best Choirs in Owerri Archdiocese
    1 month ago
  • Business
    • Banking & Finance
    • Oil & Gas
    BusinessShow More
    Unity Bank Shareholders Approve Merger With Providus Bank
    1 week ago
    Yomi Joseph Digital Pr Launches 360° Marketing Solutions To Transform Brands Into Industry Leaders
    2 weeks ago
    Gov Abiodun Showcases Ogun Investment Opportunities At AfCFTA In Algeria
    4 weeks ago
    Intra-African Trade Fair
    Nigeria To Host Intra-African Trade Fair In 2027
    4 weeks ago
    Bank of Agriculture
    How Nigeria-Brazil Pact Will Boost Agricultural Investment, Food Security – BOA
    1 month ago
  • Health
    Health
    Show More
    Top News
    NCDC Activates Lassa Fever Emergency Operations Centre In Nigeria
    3 years ago
    UNAIDS: Fully Financing HIV Response In Africa Will Save Millions Of Lives
    2 years ago
    How To Avoid Urinary Tract Infections During Sex
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    2025 World Pharmacist Day: Lagos Takes Healthcare To Ikorodu Communities
    6 days ago
    World Heart Day: Adopt Healthy Food Policies, CAPPA Tasks FG, States
    1 week ago
    Lagos Takes Fight Against HIV To Communities
    1 week ago
    Nigeria’s Health Financing: Lessons From Canada’s $32.5bn Tobacco Settlement
    2 weeks ago
  • More
    • Sports
    • Aviation/Transportation
    • Deliverance Hour
    • Industry & Labour
    • Insurance
    • Interview
    • Judiciary
    • Metro
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Religious
    • Romance
    • Science & Discovery
Reading: Youth Party Demands for Autonomous Electoral Offences Commission, Specialised Electoral Offences Court
Share
Notification Show More
Aa
Independent News ExpressIndependent News Express
Aa
  • Home
  • International
  • Africa
  • Corporate News
  • Politics
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Health
  • More
Search
  • Home
  • International
  • Africa
  • Corporate News
    • Media Outreach
  • Politics
  • News
    • Agriculture
    • Breaking News
    • Tech
    • Maritime
    • Crime
    • Art & Culture
  • Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Concert & Events
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
    • Love & Life
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Relationship
    • Sex
  • Business
    • Banking & Finance
    • Oil & Gas
  • Health
  • More
    • Sports
    • Aviation/Transportation
    • Deliverance Hour
    • Industry & Labour
    • Insurance
    • Interview
    • Judiciary
    • Metro
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Religious
    • Romance
    • Science & Discovery
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
Independent News Express > Blog > Politics > Youth Party Demands for Autonomous Electoral Offences Commission, Specialised Electoral Offences Court
Politics

Youth Party Demands for Autonomous Electoral Offences Commission, Specialised Electoral Offences Court

Last updated: 2024/09/05 at 1:01 PM
1 year ago
Share
Youth Party
SHARE

The Youth Party has asked the National Assembly to pass an autonomous Electoral Offences Commission Act that will empower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with the capacity to investigate and coordinate enforcement and prosecution of all electoral offences.

The Youth Party in memorandum to National Assembly – Joint Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Electoral Matters jointly signed by its National Chair, Dr. Umar Muhammad, National Secretary, Helen Adoh, and the National Policy & Strategy, Ayiba Amadu also urged the National Assembly to ensure the independence of the proposed electoral Offences Commission by giving them financial autonomy and removing them from the operational control of the Executive and the Attorney General of the Federation and of the States.

The Party also urged the National Assembly to create specialised electoral offences court with divisions in various states across the federation and are guided by special rules and guidelines that regulate the conduct and timeline of trials.

- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Besides, the Youth Party seek the following “Employments of new technologies particularly the use of surveillance drones to monitor elections in various polling centres to facilitate real time incident reporting.

“Organize periodic specialized training for security forces to combat electoral violence and clearly delineate their roles during election.

“Disqualifications of Persons facing: Criminal Charges from contesting Election”

The party stated that political offices are public trusts and persons elected to these offices become public trustees, stressing that it is critical that a trustee must be a person of character and integrity to be able to manage whatever the settlor is trusting on to him for the benefit of the beneficiaries.

” It is therefore our belief that for the advancement of common good and to ensure that only persons of integrity and unquestionable character are elected to public offices, there is need to amend the Constitution to disqualify persons who have pending criminal cases against them from vying for public offices.

While the Party conceded that there are many arguments against this, it submitted that the dangers of allowing such persons to run for office are considerable.

The statement argued “For instance, a person under trial for murder of 10 (ten) Nigerians may contest and win election even from the prison as we have witnessed in this country. Upon being elected, he becomes immune from criminal trials by virtue of section 308 of the 1999 Constitution as amended. He is also almost sure of serving a second term. Thus, for eight years, he will not return to the courts to face trial. In addition, a governor is in charge of the Ministry of Justice, which is the prosecutorial authority.

“The Ministry of Justice through the Director of Public Prosecution is expected to prosecute him or her (the governor or president) after his or her tenure of office.

“The danger of tampering with evidence and witnesses is real than imagined. For instance, he is the person that appoints and removes at his own wish the Attorney General that is supposed to prosecute him. The person upon election takes charge of the Police and other Prosecutorial agencies and appoints their heads.

“For instance, a person who is under trial for corruption becomes directly in charge of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, if he is elected President. Furthermore, all the witnesses especially those that are civil servants also comes under his power to hire and fire. With all these considerations, it is apparent that such a person may utilize state powers to frustrate his trial. This is not healthy as it results in persons who are not trustworthy occupying positions of public trust.

” Many may argue that this proposal will constitute a violation of the right to fair hearing and innocence until proven guilty, but the greater and common good of all Nigerians demands that such a persons should not be allowed to vie for public office until they are cleared. The right of such candidates begins and ends where the right of Nigerians to good governance starts.”

Besides, the party added that Pre-election matters relating to eligibility of candidates should be given the same expeditious hearing and status as election petitions. It should be resolved at the high court and at the Court of Appeal being the final Court before the Election.

It argued that Section 66, 107, 131 and 177 of the Constitution should be amended to allow the Court, upon application by INEC or any other person.

Presenting the Party’s position, a representative of the Youth Party, Amador Iba Sunday, said “Our only issue we want to raise is the disqualification of persons facing criminal charges from the arrest.

“We are recommending that such person’s cases need to be done and dealt with before election. We understand that public offices are of public trust, and we are applying, and we are suggesting that section 308 of the constitution is looked into so issues of people with questionable character can be trashed out in the court of law if possible”.

You Might Also Like

EU, ADC Parley: Calls for Electoral Reforms To Guarantee Free, Fair, Credible Polls In Nigeria

NSC Chairman To Engage With Youth And Sports Stakeholders At The Nest Centre

Edo District Bye-election: SDP Candidate, Hon. Isidahomhen Promises To Pursue Best Interest Of Esanland 

PHOTOS: Vinod Obasa Takes Oath Of Office

Gov Adeleke’s Outburst Against Aregbesola Shows Sign Of A Drowning Man – ADC Group

TAGGED: INEC, Nigerian Politics, Youth Party
INadminNG September 5, 2024 September 5, 2024
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Telegram Email Print
Previous Article Late Ogun REC, Ijalaye Was A Worthy Companion, Says Committee Of Friends
Next Article Seamoriow U-15 League Tourney Seamoriow U-15 League Tourney: It Is B- United Against Miracle FA In Final
about us

Independent News Express (iNews Express), a publication of 4Ds Nigeria Limited, is birthed out of the desires of the founding fathers to report News as it is.

We value Professionalism, Excellence, Service, Creativity and Integrity.

The Company

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy & Policy

Quick Links

  • Advertise with us
  • Newsletters
  • Deal

Categories

Find Us on Socials

© Independent News Express. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?