As the National Assembly holds public hearings on constitution review, a non- governmental organisation, Yiaga Africa, has recommended 10 top priorities on the Electoral Act for amendment in the constitution.
It gave the recommendations during a roundtable it organised for civil society organisations and other indigenes of Bauchi state on how they could make a difference at the public hearings.
A facilitator at the event, Nasiru Umar Launi, said the organisation was more concerned about electoral reforms in the constitution review in such a way that the present lapses could be addressed and youth and women would be carried along in the governance of the country.
He listed the recommended priorities on the Electoral Act amendment to include; strengthening the financial independence of INEC, use of technology in the electoral process, reducing cost of nomination of candidates, stiffer sanctions for bribery and vote buying and promoting the inclusion of women, youth and persons with disability in politics.
In her remarks, the focal person of Yiaga Africa in Bauchi state, Zainab Muhammad Hassan, said the objective of the roundtable was to provide information on how citizens could engage at the public hearings.
“It is essential that as citizens, we play a crucial role in determining the constitution’s provisions. Yes, citizens have the constitutional and legal right to make input during a bill process particularly at the public hearing,” she said.
