Reps Charge INEC on Constituency Delineation
The House of Representatives has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to review constituency delineation as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended without further delay.
In a motion of urgent national importance moved on the floor, House minority leader Ndudi Elumelu called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to as matter of urgency invoke section 73 subsection 1, of the 1999 constitution which expressly directed that the commission shall review the division of states of the federation into federal constituencies at intervals of not less than 10yrs, and may alter the constituencies in accordance with the provisions of the section to such extent as it may consider desirable in the light of the review to review constituencies.
Elumelu Further expressed Worry expressing that some federal constituencies are twice the size of others in both size and population against the dictates of the 1999 constitution.
He accused INEC of not living up to its responsibilities, hammering on the need to urgently rectify the abnormally for the sake of equitable representation
Recall that since the commencement of the 4th republic till date, INEC has not complied with section 73(1) of the 1999 constitution thereby depriving citizens of their rights
The house further resolve that in reviewing its mandate, INEC should take into consideration Ilesha east/Ilesha west, Aniocha/Oshimili federal constituencies in Osun and Delta states which has 4 Local government areas.
The House however mandated its committee on electoral matters to interface with the leadership of INEC and report to the committee of the whole within two weeks.