The House of Representatives has referred the Bill seeking to establish the Independent National Electoral Institute to its Committees on INEC and Justice after a heated debate at its plenary session on Tuesday, June 7th 2016. Leading the debate, the Bill sponsor, Hon. Chukwuka Onyema (PDP: Anambra) stated that the Bill aimed to establish an electoral institute that would serve as a resource centre to the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) and enhance Nigeria’s electoral process.
Furthermore, , Hon. Onyema stated that the creation of an electoral institute would enable INEC fulfill its mandate as an electoral management body as the institute would enhance the electoral system and increase the capacity of staff in carrying out their duties. He then called on Members to support the Bill in view of its laudable objectives.
Speaking in support of the Bill, the Minority leader of the House Hon. Leo Ogor (PDP:Delta) also added that the Bill would provide a legal framework for the Institute as it was already in existence. He was also of the view that a legally recognized electoral institute would strengthen the principles of free and fair elections –that are at the core of any democracy. In addition, Hon. Ogor decried the rate of inconclusive elections across various states in the country stating that a legal framework for the Institute would enable it revamp and reform Nigeria’s electoral process and democracy.
However, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC:Lagos) led the dissenting views of the Bill at the debate. In particular, Hon. Gbajabiamila felt that establishment of the institute was unnecessary at such a time when the nation was faced with untold hardship and limited resources. He was also of the view that the creation of a legal framework for the institute was unnecessary since INEC was already saddled with the responsibility of providing administrative and financial support to the institute
The Bill has been referred to the House Commmittees on Electoral Matters and Political Parties for further review after a stalemate at the debate session.
