Senate directs INEC to establish polling units for IDPs

The Senate on Tuesday, directed its committee on Independent National Electoral Commission, to liaise with the authorities of INEC to establish special polling units for the Internally Displaced Persons who were victims of the on-going insurgency in the North-East.
The upper chamber arrived at the decision after an extensive debate on a bill for the amendment to the Electoral Act 2014, sponsored by the Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Senator Ali Ndume.
Ndume’s bill was seeking an amendment to section 42 of the Electoral Act to make provisions for the enfranchisement of the IDPs in their various camps nationwide.
He argued that since the quality of elections was usually not only measured by the extent to which the franchised is guaranteed and elections are impartially administered for the majority of voters, but also by accommodations to enfranchise voters who are marginalized in polity.
He therefore said since countries like Afghanistan, Syria, Cuba, and Iraq among who suffered serious conflicts that led to the displacement of many of their citizens, had incorporated the IDPs in their electoral system, Nigeria too should do the same.
He said, “Elections are an important means which IDPs can have a say in the political, economic and social decision affecting their lives. As citizens of the country in which they are uproot, IDPs are entitled to vote and participate in public affairs.
“Disenfranchisement of IDPs call into doubt the legitimacy of the forthcoming elections. Let us borrow examples from Afghanistan, Syria, Cuba, Iraq and so on, who have all incorporated IDPs into their electoral system.”