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Nigerian Bar Association Calls For Review Of Electoral Act 2010

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Photo Credit: Leadership

Photo Credit: Leadership

The Nigerian Bar Association Election Working Group (NBAEWG) has called for the review of the Electoral Act 2010, to give presiding officers the discretion to create a separate queue for senior citizens.

This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday and signed by the Chairman of the group, Mr Dafe Akpedeye (SAN).

According to the statement, senior citizens pass through a hectic time coping with younger elements on the queue during elections at the polling units.

The statement said, “ some of them could hardly withstand the harsh weather and the surging crowds in some of the polling units“.

It noted that the creation of a separate queue for the category would encourage them to remain engaged with the electoral process and continue to perform their civic responsibility.

The statement stressed the need for INEC to accelerate the process of constituency delineation, saying that some polling units were located too close to residential buildings in spite of availability of schools.

“The location of some of these polling units in front of or very proximate to people’s houses do not make for secrecy of the votes and independent electoral action by the voters.

“It is important to move such polling stations away from residential accommodation and awkward locations to schools and public places, ” the statement said.

It urged INEC to introduce the use of electronic voting machines for elections.

The statement also advised INEC to always deploy adequate officials in each polling unit for future elections and called on political parties to be proactive in creating voter education.

“This will increase the involvement of the electorate in future elections,’’ it said.

It stressed the need for enhanced enlightenment for security agencies to understand various electoral offences and ensure effective discharge of their responsibilities.

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