The National Assembly
(NASS) is ready to assist the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) with relevant legislation to ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2015, Sen. Obende Domingo (APC- Edo North), has said.
Domingo, who stated this in Benin while fielding questions from newsmen, said to get the support of the legislature, INEC must first admit its challenges to conduct free and fair elections.
He described the November 16, 2013 governorship election in Anambra State as ‘an embarrassment’ to the country, stressing that everything must be done to avoid a repeat of such embarrassment.
“When you have a challenge, you must first of all understand it.
“When you understand the challenge and discuss it, then of course you are having a head way to finding a solution to the problem.
“In all the elections INEC has conducted so far, they will always tell you that all arrangements are in place and that they are going to have a perfect and fine election or outing as you will call it.
“But at the end of the day, you will always see those challenges staring them in the face.
“For me, officials of INEC have never admitted that they have challenges; if they admit that they have one, then they must tell us what these challenges are.
“If it is human challenge, it is easy, do more of orientation; if is financial, it is also simple, request for more funds to be able to tackle the election that you have at hand.
“If the Anambra election went the way it went how do we know what is going to happen in Ekiti and Osun states.
“So, I am of the view that INEC must buckle up. I am also of the view that the commission needs to tell us what their problems are.
He said it was only when these problems were placed on the table that the NASS would be able to discuss them and find solutions to them.
“We cannot do anything about it when we do not know what their problems are,’’ Domingo said, and promised that the legislature would be prepared to assist the commission conduct a free, fair and credible elections.
