The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has constituted an eight -man Committee on the Review of Electoral Constituencies in Nigeria, as well as four (4) other key Committees to assist the Commission in its quest to improve on the electoral process.
In a letter signed by the Acting Secretary to the Commission, Musa H. Adamu, dated 16th January, 2017, the Commission, also set up an eight-man Committee on the Review of Polling Units and Registration Areas; a six-man Committee on Review of the Suppressed Constituencies; a seven-man Committee on the Review of GIS Laboratory; and a ten-man Committee on the Review of Diaspora or Out-of-Country Voting (OCV).
The Committees were constituted with different terms of reference and are expected to submit their reports to the Commission within six (6) weeks with periodic reports at intervals.
The Committee on Review of Electoral Constituencies is chaired by National Commissioner, Amina Zakari
Terms of reference:
(i) Review the status of the Commission’s past and recent attempts at delimitation of constituencies and make recommendations on the way forward.
(ii) Review and advice on INEC collaboration/MoU’s with National Population Commission, National Space Research and Development Agency, National Broadcasting Commission, Office of The Surveyor General of the Federation, National Boundary Commission, Nigerian Postal Service and any other relevant government agency.
(iii) Review existing delimitation guidelines and develop new guidelines for delimitation/delineation of the federal constituencies to meet the demand of the current state of the Nation.
The Committee on the Review of Polling Units and Registration Areas is headed by national Commissioner, Prof Okey Ibeanu
Terms of Reference:
- Consider the current status of Polling Units and Registration Areas nationwide.
- Propose a framework and criteria for review.
iii. Recommend a plan of action for Commission’s approval.
The Committee on the Review of Suppressed Constituencies is headed by National Commissioner, Mr. Adedeji Soyebi
Terms of Reference:
- Determine the status of suppressed state constituencies.
- Review existing Court Orders in this regard.
iii. Develop Guidelines for implementation.
- Make recommendations to the Commission.
The Committee on the Review of GIS Laboratory is chaired by Dr. M Lecky.
Terms of reference:
- Determine the status of the Geographic Information System (GIS) Laboratory.
- Review data generated, assets acquired thereof, including field assets.
iii. Determine the relevance of the Lab Delimitation and PU and RA review.
The Committee on the Review of Diaspora or Out-of-Country voting (OCV) is headed by Amina Zakari.
Terms of reference:
- Determine the legal, political and electoral frameworks that need to be taken into consideration in planning for out-of-country voting.
- Examine the methodologies of, and global best practices for out-of-country voting
iii. Suggest appropriate out-of-country voting methodology (ies) for the Commission
- Estimate the population, spread and locations of Nigerians in the Diaspora and Nigerians in missions abroad, and registration requirements.
- Determine the logistical requirements and assess the cost implications of the methodology (ies) suggested for out-of-country voting.
- Suggest timelines and/ or a project plan for the implementation of out-of-country voting by the Commission.
vii. Any other relevant issue(s) that the Committee may consider germane.
