In a bid to cut costs and streamline governance, the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters has proposed a significant reduction in the salaries of legislators and executive members.
The proposal was presented during an interactive session on Monday with the Judiciary and political parties, led by Senator Sharafadeen Alli, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, as part of the National Assembly’s review and amendment of the Electoral Act 2022.
The committee suggested a 30 percent reduction in the salaries of legislators and a 40 percent cut for executive members.
These proposed reductions are aimed at reducing government expenditures in the face of economic challenges.
In addition to salary cuts, political parties present at the session proposed that all elections—presidential, National Assembly, governorship, and State Houses of Assembly—be conducted on a single day.
They argued that the current staggered election system is not cost-effective and that a single-day election would reduce expenses and logistical challenges.
Another key proposal from the political parties was the continuous voter registration process linked to the National Identity Number (NIN), which they believe would enhance security and reduce the costs associated with voter registration.
Among the 35 proposals presented by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) Chair during the three-day retreat, there was a strong push for the appointment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman to be removed from the executive’s purview. Instead, they proposed that the position should be advertised, allowing interested and qualified individuals to apply.
Senator Alli, addressing the proposals, promised that the joint committee would engage with INEC and Nigerians across various sectors to gather comprehensive feedback.
“This will help minimize disruptions and ensure future elections are free of rancor and hitch-free,” he assured.
These proposed reforms mark significant steps towards reducing the cost of governance and improving the electoral process in Nigeria.
As discussions continue, the recommendations from this session could lead to far-reaching changes in the country’s political and electoral landscape.