By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Independent News ExpressIndependent News Express
  • Home
  • International
    InternationalShow More
    UN Secretary-General Launches Report To Break “The Cycle Of Debt Distress”
    12 hours ago
    Israel-Iran War: South Africa Wants United Nations To Step In
    6 days ago
    G7 finance leaders seek non-tariff consensus in Canada, may face US pushback
    Ahead G7 Summit, Finance Ministers Seek Non-tariff Consensus In Canada, May Face US Pushback
    1 month ago
    Over 28,000 Women And Girls Killed In Gaza Since October 2023
    1 month ago
    Global Aid Cut
    New Report Reveals How Global Aid Cuts Affecting Women’s Organisations Aiding Women In Crises
    2 months ago
  • Africa
    Africa
    Show More
    Top News
    Tanzania: United Nations Women Strengthen Voice And Agency Of Women With Disabilities
    2 years ago
    IRC
    Conflict And Climate Change In West Africa Require Solutions To Restore People’s Right To Aid And Protection – IRC
    2 years ago
    Niger Coup: PeacePro Tackles US Institute For Singing War Song
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Ooni’s Wife, Olori Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi Takes Ile Ife Royalty To ADWIN Launch In Cote d’Ivoire
    2 weeks ago
    Independent UN Body Finds Systemic Racism Against Africans And People Of African Descent
    2 weeks ago
    Public Exit: Why South Africa Businesses Are Moving To Private Cloud
    3 weeks ago
    Cameroon Tops List Of World’s Most Neglected Displacement Crises
    4 weeks ago
  • Corporate News
    • Media Outreach
  • Politics
    Politics
    Show More
    Top News
    VIDEO: Political Thugs Unleash Mayhem On Lagosians, Voters Run For Safety During Presidential Poll
    2 years ago
    Adeleke To Aregbesola: I Will Make Sure I Complete Your Govt’s Abandoned Projects
    2 years ago
    It’s Landmark Judgement, Lagos APC Chieftain, Prince Mohammed Hails Tinubu’s Victory At Tribunal
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Lagos LG Poll: Tunde Disco/Ganiyu Obasa Intensify Campaign In Agege
    21 hours ago
    PHOTOS: Vinod Obasa Joins Other Lagos APC LG Candidates At Sanwo-Olu’s Reception
    3 days ago
    Lagos Lawmaker Praises Tinubu For Helping Nigeria Breathe Again
    3 weeks ago
    LG Election: Stakeholders Appeal To APC Not To Allow Chairmen Run For 3rd term
    2 months ago
  • News
    • Agriculture
    • Breaking News
    • Tech
    • Maritime
    • Crime
    • Art & Culture
    News
    Show More
    Top News
    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
    Pa Abdulfatah Amoo Ayanwale
    Pa Ayanwale Dies At 76, Fidau Prayers Holds 8 August
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    D2D Satellite Comms: Nigeria’s Space Research Agency Signs MoU With Chinese Firm, Galaxy Space
    1 week ago
    Substance Use Prevention In Focus As NDLEA, UNODC Unveil 2025 World Drug Day Activities
    1 week ago
    Benue: Stop the Killings, CAPPA Demands Immediate Action
    2 weeks ago
    Court Orders Flouted Again as Armed Men Escort Attempted Takeover Of Lekki Property
    2 weeks ago
  • Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Concert & Events
    Entertainment
    Show More
    Top News
    Evergreen Music Boss Reiterates Commitment To Preservation Of Nigerian Music 
    2 years ago
    Stevetech Electrical Engineering Enterprise Boss Ties Knot With Halimat In Lagos
    2 years ago
    Quest Evicted, As Precious Mac, Victory Make Nigerian Idol Season 8 Finale
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    The Drama Returns As BBNaija ‘No Loose Guard’ Reunion Premieres June 23
    6 days ago
    You Can’t Fake it — James Omekwe On MultiChoice’s Impact On African Filmmaking
    2 weeks ago
    Jkenova and Ellacentric Exit Nigerian Idol Season 10 In Emotional Farewell
    3 weeks ago
    MultiChoice Africa x African Storytelling: How Local Content Shapes Local Culture
    3 weeks ago
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
    • Love & Life
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Relationship
    • Sex
    Lifestyle
    Show More
    Top News
    Amazing Looks Of Jennifer Lopez In Her Three Unique Wedding Gowns
    3 years ago
    NCPC, Lagos Christian Pilgrims Board Tour Israel, Jordan Ahead 2024 Pilgrimage
    1 year ago
    Isese: Court Summons IGP, Kwara Govt, Others Over Detained Traditionalists
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Noble Call to Service: Inside the Induction of 104 New Knights of St. Mulumba
    2 weeks ago
    Joining The Knighthood Brings You Closer To God -Sir Eva Njemanze
    2 weeks ago
    Africa Tech Festival Unveils Strategic Themes For 2025 Event,
    2 weeks ago
    Lagos SWAN Joins UN To Celebrate World Nutrition Month At Unilag Confab
    1 month ago
  • Business
    • Banking & Finance
    • Oil & Gas
    BusinessShow More
    NNPCL Board Accused Of Planning Lavish Party In Rwanda Amidst N210tn Financial Scandal
    1 week ago
    Can the African Energy Bank Transform the Continent’s Refining and Downstream Future?
    2 weeks ago
    Lagos Will Continue To Lead Initiatives That Accelerate Economic Diversification – Sanwo-Olu
    1 month ago
    Afreximbank
    Afreximbank Reports Strong Performance For Q1 2025 In Line With expectations
    1 month ago
    Pan-African Payment & Settlement System
    Nigeria Unlocks Intra-African Trade With New Pan-African Payment & Settlement System Policy Boost
    2 months ago
  • Health
    Health
    Show More
    Top News
    Merck Foundation, African First Ladies Mark World Cancer Day 2023 With 110 Scholarships Of Oncology Fellowships In 25 Nations
    2 years ago
    European Heart Rhythm Association Awards Gold Medal to Footballer Iker Casillas
    2 years ago
    Jeanne Marrazzo
    International AIDS Society Welcomes Jeanne Marrazzo As New Director of US’ NIAID 
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Online Education Can Enhance Clinical Guideline Use By Over 50% 
    2 weeks ago
    The Hidden Lifeline – Blood Security And Africa’s Health Agenda By Dr Allan Pamba
    2 weeks ago
    Apepa or Arterial Blockage? The Urgency of Self-Care After 45 By Babafemi Ojudu
    3 weeks ago
    Roche Launches Diagnostics Operations In Nigeria,
    4 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
10 months 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

Lagos LG Poll: Tunde Disco/Ganiyu Obasa Intensify Campaign In Agege

PHOTOS: Vinod Obasa Joins Other Lagos APC LG Candidates At Sanwo-Olu’s Reception

Lagos Lawmaker Praises Tinubu For Helping Nigeria Breathe Again

LG Election: Stakeholders Appeal To APC Not To Allow Chairmen Run For 3rd term

More APC Chairmanship Aspirants Reject Indirect Primary For Local Govt Elections In Lagos State

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?