Former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has emphasized the need for all election petitions to be resolved before the swearing-in of elected officials.
Speaking on Sunday Politics on Channels Television, Chidoka stated: “All petitions must end before swearing-in. We must make sure that nobody takes advantage of the lacuna in the election.”
He further advocated for the scanning of ballot papers and the appointment of election auditors to verify election results, saying:
“We should scan the results – all the paper ballots. They should appoint election auditors to scan the results.”
Chidoka also highlighted the importance of reviewing election results, noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission has the power to do so within seven days:
“INEC has the power to review results within seven days. I think that mechanism has not been used by INEC. They should be able to review what the BVAS has against what has been entered and make sure they cancel all the appropriate results that need to be cancelled.”
Additionally, Chidoka called for the establishment of Election Offences Tribunals, as recommended in the Justice Uwais report:
“We should ensure that we go back to the Justice Uwais report, and the Election Offences Tribunal should be set up.”