By Paul Effiong, Abuja
House of Representatives has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to urgently conduct bye-elections inorder to fill vacant positions in the National and state Houses of Assembly.
This followed a motion of urgent public importance moved during yesterday’s plenary by Jafaru Leko.
In his lead debate, the lawmaker noted that INEC is the sole body vested with the responsibility of conducting elections for the federal, states and Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
Citing some sections of the Electoral Act, Leko reminded his colleagues that Sections 47 and 90 of the constitution (as amended) outlined the establishment of the National Assembly and the state Houses of Assembly to ensure the right of citizens to be represented in the federal and state legislative bodies.
The lawmaker also noted that since the 2023 general and subsequent elections, there had been instances of resignations, deaths or appointments of former members of the National and state Assemblies to executive positions.
He, therefore, expressed worry that the continued vacancy of seats is a violation of the law, as Nigeria is practising constitutional democracy.
He also averred that this inaction from INEC in holding timely bye-elections resulted in the disenfranchisement of the affected citizens who have the right to adequate representation.
Lawmakers who spoke during the debate noted that the delay in conducting bye-elections for the vacant seats is a contravention of constitutional provisions, breach of due process and denial of proper representation to the affected constituencies’.
The House thereafter mandated its Committee on Electoral Matters to investigate the issue of electoral inaction by the electoral umpire, as well as invite the commission to explain the delay in conducting elections for those positions.
