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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), National Conscience Party (NCP), African Renaissance Party (ARP) and  others rejected the 2011 Political Parties’ Code of Conduct presented by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Of the 63 registered parties, 47 assented to the Code of Conduct.

The 16 parties which refused to sign claimed that a similar document was signed in 2007.

INEC did not confirm or deny this.

The signing, organised by the Independent and National Electoral Commission (INEC) in partnership with the International Republican Institute (IRI) took place yesterday in Abuja.

INEC chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega said: “Once 75% of the parties have signed the Memorandum of Understanding of the Code of Conduct, it becomes effective and binding.

“The Political Parties Code of Conduct is a consensus document which guides the conduct of all the registered parties.

“The draft has been subjected to intensive review by party chairmen at the retreat held in Tinapa, Cross River State, and the outcome here is to foster remarkable improvement in the elections.”

Jega said the code of conduct will address proper conduct before, during and after the election, adding that other parties that are yet to sign the understanding have the privilege to do so until Friday.

The National Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Prince Chudi Chukwuani, argued that it is INEC’s responsibility to discipline any party that works against its regulations as spelled out in the constitution.

Chukwuani, who said his party would not align with parallel parliament, called INEC to make a public declaration that the commission will maintain fair ground for all  parties and will be balanced in its activities.

Dan Nwachukwu of the Labour Party (LP) said the  Electoral Act (2010) gave INEC the power to sanction unruly parties.

The representative of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Alh. Mohammad Galadima, called Jega’s attention to the rumour that some governors have sewn uniforms for militias to disrupt the elections.

Reacting to these, Jega promised to meet with the party chairmen before the elections to sensitise and address issues affecting the parties.

He also promised to meet  security agencies to forestall  challenges that may arise during the elections.


Local  News

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