Electoral Act amendment: INEC speaks on Buhari’s decision to reject bill and order of election

ADS 300px;height:250px

The Social Democratic Party, SDP, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of working for President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, APC. SDP said the President should have sought legal advice if he was in doubt of the amendment process instead of allegedly siding INEC. The party said the decision of the President to reject the Electoral Amendment Act has raised the suspicion that he was working with the electoral body.

Speaking with Daily Trust, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the, SDP, Alhaji Alfa Muhammed, said the action would create an atmosphere of delay and uncertainty within the polity. He said, “The rejection by President Buhari raises suspicion of collaboration between the APC government and INEC. “This position is affirmed by Mr. President’s decision to side with the INEC against the National Assembly in the quest by the two institutions to assert their constitutional powers. “Ordinarily, the president should have sought judicial advice on who has the final authority on the matter if he was in doubt. “Therefore, jumping into the arena and siding with INEC may be confirming the suspicion that the unpopular order of elections released by INEC may have been influenced by the APC government. “Another implication is the delay and uncertainty it will create within the polity.”