Abakaliki: Mr Emmanuel Ezeh, a chieftain of the Labour Party, has called for inclusive electoral reforms to strengthen the nation’s democratic system. In a statement on Monday, Ezeh emphasized the need for urgent reforms in the proposed Electoral Act to enhance Nigeria’s democratic process.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ezeh highlighted that voter accreditation must be more inclusive and flexible, criticizing the sole reliance on the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) as it undermines the electoral participation of eligible Nigerians. He stressed that the new electoral Act should offer alternative means of voter verification and identification.
Ezeh proposed the use of internationally recognized national documents, such as the International Passport and the National Identification Number (NIN), for voting. He stated that the focus should be on confirming the identity of the voter, rather than restricting them. “The electoral system must be designed to include, not exclude,” he said.
The Labour Party chieftain argued that limiting accreditation to the PVC alone was discriminatory and posed a threat to the credibility of elections. He noted that Nigerians who lost their PVCs, relocated, or faced administrative or personal challenges in collecting their cards would be disenfranchised.
Ezeh also emphasized the importance of real-time electronic transmission of results for a transparent electoral process and to curb electoral fraud. He urged lawmakers and electoral stakeholders to take these reforms seriously, describing the proposed changes as critical steps toward safeguarding the country’s democracy.
He further stated that there is a need for broader reforms in the new Electoral Act, including clear and enforceable qualifications for candidates, to ensure transparency and prevent manipulation.