The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has dismissed calls for the removal of its chairman, saying any such action outside the constitutional process would amount to an assault on the commission’s independence.
The commission said the appointment, tenure and removal of its chairman and national commissioners are clearly provided for under the 1999 Constitution and cannot be dictated by political parties or pressure groups.
INEC’s response followed demands by leaders of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, for the resignation or removal of the chairman and national commissioners after the commission declined to recognise the David Mark-led leadership of the party pending the resolution of the dispute in court.
In its reaction, INEC said the chairman does not serve at the pleasure of any political party, interest group or individual. It insisted that any attempt to force a removal outside the legal process would undermine the independence of the electoral body.
The commission also defended its decision to act in line with a recent Court of Appeal judgment in the ADC leadership matter. It said the step was necessary to avoid disobeying valid court orders and to prevent a repeat of situations where failure to comply with judicial decisions led to wider political consequences.
INEC said monitoring meetings, congresses or conventions of any faction while the matter remains before the court would have been inconsistent with the preservative order already in place.
The commission further rejected allegations that it was acting against multi-party democracy. It said its actions remain guided by the law and by its obligation to maintain neutrality in the management of political party affairs.
On the planned voter revalidation exercise, INEC said the process is intended to strengthen the integrity of the national register of voters. It explained that the exercise is an administrative audit of existing records and not a fresh registration exercise.
The electoral body said it remains focused on its constitutional responsibilities, including preparations for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections, and would not be distracted by what it described as unfounded allegations.
