Amending electoral law three days to election is dangerous, TMG warns Lagos assembly

Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), a civil society organisation, says it is worried about the speed with which the Lagos state house of assembly passed an amendment to the Lagos electoral, law just three days to the local government election in the state.

The group also expressed concern over the “mounting tension” ahead of the exercise scheduled for Saturday.

It expressed its concern in a statement by Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, its chairman in Abuja, and Sulaimon Arigbagbu, south-west coordinator.

The group said it is particularly worried about the incessant violence in some areas of Lagos, predominantly in Mushin, due to issues surrounding the nomination of candidates.

TMG added that it was worried over the refusal of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LAISEC) to make use of card readers in the exercise.

“We are also concerned about the speed with which the Lagos state house of assembly passed an amendment to the Lagos electoral law regulating the conduct of election to allow for the substitution of a party candidate before the elections,” the statement read.

“The new bill allows a political party to withdraw and substitute candidate not later than three (3) days to LASIEC verification.

“It also states that any candidate can withdraw from contesting not later than three (3) days to the election by personally taking a letter of withdrawal to the state secretary of the party involved who must also personally take same to LASIEC not later than 12noon, three (3) days to the election.

“TMG is worried about the implications and dangers such amendment portends on the credibility of the election.

“Furthermore, we are also apprehensive of the implications of the multiplicity of court cases relating to party candidatures giving the fact that the election is just three days away.

“Such conflicting decisions could cast aspersion on the credibility and legitimacy of the elections.

“We also express displeasure over the latest pronouncement by the authorities of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LAISEC) regarding its planned accreditation plan and observer’s deployment for the Saturday local government election in Lagos.

“Our concern is further heightened by the refusal by LASIEC to deploy card reader for the conduct of this coming elections. This is an anti-climax to the widely acknowledged improvement to our electoral system during the 2015 general elections.”

The group, therefore, called on LASIEC to reconsider its decision on the highlighted issues.

“We call on LASIEC to ensure highest standard in the conduct and administration of the coming Lagos LG/LCDAs elections, by carrying out their responsibilities in accordance with law, and without fear or favour,” the group said.

“We hope that LASIEC is committed to an open, genuine, free and appropriate process that is devoid of any suspicion misgiving in the process leading to the election.”