The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the Electoral Act Amendment Bill saying it’s a victory for democracy, credible elections and representative governance in Nigeria.
The council in a signed statement by it’s National Organising Secretary, Comrade Egbeola Martins acknowledged the role of
free, fair, credible, transparent, generally acceptable, peaceful and inclusive election under a constitutional rule noting that Nigerians yearn for improved electoral process ahead of the 2023 general election. The new Electoral Act is a tremendous boost to sustainable democracy in the country.
He said the new electoral law has restored confidence in the nation’s political process, particularly the use of electronic voting and electronic transmission of results. This guarantees the santity of the ballot box as every vote will henceforth be counted and count in the overall result. The era of ballot snatching, ballot stuffing and manipulation of results sheets is over. It is democracy at its finest and a giant step forward in our emerging civil rule.
IPAC urges the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to carefully go through the new Electoral Act with a view to releasing the schedules and timetable for the 2023 general election to enable political parties, their candidates and stakeholders prepare adequately for the polls as time is of the essence. Council also enjoins INEC to provide a level play field for all the political parties contesting various elections.
IPAC further urges political parties and their candidates vying for various positions to imbibe issue-based campaigns and refrain from politics of bitterness and brigandage which impeded our frail democracy since 1999.
IPAC, the umbrella body of the 18 registered political parties in Nigeria has been in the vanguard of promoting good governance, ensuring an environment conducive for successful elections, political stability, enduring democracy and overall wellbeing of Nigerians.
