May 29 handover still stands ? Lawyers

[jchima14]

BOOK INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS TICKETS LOCAL FLIGHTS HOTELS BOOKINGS WORLDWIDE AND MORE AT CHEAPEST RATE EVER! CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR FLIGHT AND RECEIVE YOUR FLIGHT TICKET INSTANTLY

Loading...

Some constitutional lawyers have said that despite the postponement of the February general elections by six weeks, the May 29 handover date for incumbents still stands.

They said the deadline for the conduct of the elections, as stipulated by the Electoral Act, is one month to the expiration of the current tenure.

In separate interviews with SUNDAY PUNCH on Saturday, the senior lawyers said although the commission has the powers under the constitution to shift polls, the postponement of this year?s elections would affect the electorate, the political parties and the electoral umpire negatively.

They berated the Independent National Electoral Commission for postponing the February general elections by six weeks.

Foremost constitutional lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay, decried the postponement of the poll. He, however, said the six-week extension was still within the law.

Sagay said, ?The issue is not the postponement, it is about the trust the electorate have in INEC. How does the postponement affect the morale of the people? How does it affect the credibility of the commission?

?It is a mistake and I hope that there are no very severe consequences for our democracy as a result of such a mistake.?

Another lawyer, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo, said the postponement was constitutional as long as the election is held within the days stipulated before the handover date. He, however, said shifting the exercise had its adverse effects.
Source: http://www.ereporter.com.ng/index.php/national-news/item/3097-may-29-handover-still-stands-lawyers