The National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters has proposed significant changes to reduce government expenditure and enhance electoral efficiency. Here are the key points from their recent discussions:
Legislators: A proposal to reduce the salaries of legislators by 30%.
Executive Members: A proposal to cut the salaries of executive members by 40%.
Election Consolidation: The committee reviewed the idea of conducting all elections (presidential, National Assembly, governorship, and State Houses of Assembly) on a single day to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Voter Registration: A proposal was made to link voter registration to the National Identity Number (NIN) to enhance security and reduce expenses.
INEC Chairman Appointment: There is a proposal to change the process for appointing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman. Instead of being appointed by the executive branch, the position should be advertised and open to interested candidates.
Ongoing Engagement: Senator Sharafadeen Alli, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, assured that the joint committee will continue to engage with INEC and the public to ensure smooth and efficient future elections.
These proposals are part of broader efforts to streamline government spending and improve the electoral process in Nigeria.
