Reps minority leader: Political parties involved in election manipulation should be suspended

Ndudi Elumelu, minority leader of the house of representatives, says any political party found guilty of manipulation should be suspended from participating in elections.

Elumelu said this during a lecture at the fifth biennial convention of the ‘Class of 84’ of the St. Pius Grammar School in Umunede, Delta state.

According to NAN, Elumelu spoke on the theme: ‘The Role of Enhanced Electoral Awareness in Improving the Quality of Leadership in Nigeria’.

Speaking at the event on Saturday, the minority leader said there is a need to adopt measures to improve the country’s electoral process.

“A candidate, as well as a political party, whose election is annulled over established charges of manipulation should be sanctioned,” he was quoted to have said.

“Such candidates or parties should be barred from further participating in election for a stipulated period of time.

“It is important that laws guiding elections should be firm in recommending punishments for INEC officials, politicians and political parties found culpable for electoral offences.”

He also spoke on the need for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adopt the use of technology for elections.

“For instance, the electronic transmission of declared results directly from the polling units will help eliminate collation-related malpractices and alteration of results,” he said.

Elumelu also called for adequate awareness on political matters to ensure that people make the right choices during elections.

“It is only a politically-aware electorate that can maximise their rights and opportunities in enthroning a leadership through which they can effectively actualise their wishes and aspirations,” he added.