Implement Uwais reports now, NDI, IRI tell FG

The United States, US, based National Democratic Institute (NDI) and International Republican Institute (IRI) yesterday, urged the Federal Government to expeditiously commence fully implementation of the recommendations of Uwais Commission and Nnamani Committee’s reports without further delay.

The joint international observer delegation, which stated this in the preliminary report on the Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections, said implementations of both reports would be vital to improved future election in Nigeria.

The African Directors of IRI and NDI, John Tomaszewski, and Christopher Fomunyo, said at a joint press conference in Abuja that, there was an urgent need to create specific institution to hand electoral offences.

The group among other things, recommended that government should “Expedite the adoption of comprehensive electoral reforms in order to lay the groundwork for an improved electoral framework.

“Implement full and expeditiously the implementations of Nigeria-led reform initiatives such as the reports from the Uwais Commission and the Nnamani Committee and create appropriate institution to reverse political parties and prosecute electoral offences, responsibilities that currently impede INEC’s focus on election administration.

“Adopt and apply measures to achieve the 35 percent affirmative action for women in both elective and appointive posts in the 2006 policy. Governorship Election 2019: APC leads PDP in 22 states declared so far by INEC.

“Investigate the actions of the military and hold accountable those who violated the electoral and other laws.”

To the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the joint international observers urged that, it should publish “complete and detailed state level results as well as national results in a timely manner.

“INEC should conduct a comprehensive review of the conduct of the 2019 polls that involves a full spectrum of elections stakeholders. “Review the recommendations from the credible domestic and international observer groups to improve the electoral framework and conduct of elections.

“Enhance communications and date management between the state and national levels to ensure the information about election processes and results are shared with the public in a timely and transparent manner.

“Reconsider the order and timing of general elections in Nigeria to ensure sufficient time for election preparations and to promote voter participation and engagement at both the grassroots and national levels.”