Reps Criticize INEC for Urging Parties to Bar Serving Lawmakers in Bye-Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been criticized by the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters for suggesting that political parties bar incumbent MPs from running in bye-elections.

Speaking to Parliamentary Correspondents, the committee’s chairman, Hon. Adebayo Balogun, said that there is currently no legislation prohibiting current parliamentarians or political office holders from running for office again.

Hon. Balogun underlined that INEC’s recommendation is only advise that parties are free to adopt or reject and is not supported by the Electoral Act. Restricting incumbent MPs’ ability to run in bye-elections, he contended, would be unjust and undemocratic.

Using the examples of Governor Diri Douye and his deputy in Bayelsa and Monday Okpebholo and his deputy in Edo State, who ran for and won elections while sitting as lawmakers, the lawmaker further pointed out that it is typical practice to use current members to fill open seats.

Because of their accumulated legislative expertise, he recommended political parties and voters to think about running incumbent parliamentarians for high elected positions, particularly in bye-elections.

However, enacting legislation that would prevent anyone from running for office is not covered by our Electoral Act or anything else we are now discussing.

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And in my opinion, if I must offer any advice at all, it is preferable to use current members who have expertise in the sector because, if you are considering replacing a senator, you should consider a representative.

And the fact that it was a by-election is regrettable. Naturally, the majority of candidates for Senate seats are typically former members of the House following each season and administration.

Therefore, it’s regrettable that this occurred; either people died or some resigned. However, if such a chance arises, we shouldn’t limit it to specific individuals. We ought to make it available to everyone. Let the individual with the highest number win; this is a democracy.

That is the essence of democracy. It has to do with the number. Therefore, we shouldn’t limit it. He may feel that I should save money since he is a technocrat.

However, money isn’t the only factor to consider while discussing politics. It has to do with interest. It’s about what the public desires. Therefore, let the people’s will win out in each senatorial district, federal constituency, and even throughout Nigeria.

As I mentioned, it’s counsel because it’s not covered by our law. Therefore, if the advise is convenient for you, you either follow it or you don’t.

A law is not advice. Furthermore, I don’t believe that anyone who wishes to vote for a candidate will feel good if they claim that the INEC Chairman illegally rejected their candidate.

Therefore, I advise anyone who wants to run to pursue his goals and let the voters in his own constituency decide.

As a result, I don’t believe that any party can or will include that in their legislation at this time. It will be illegal to exclude someone on this basis. That’s my honest opinion,” he stated.