Campaign for Democracy (CD) South East zone, says the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has no power to de- register political parties.
In a chat with journalists in Aba, the South East chairman of the group, Mr. David Kalu said INEC erred by refusing to base its decision on the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, stressing that the commission’s decision was based on the 2010 Electoral act which is inconsistent with the constitution.
Kalu queried the power of the electoral body to de-register political parties that fulfilled the constitutional stipulations for its establishment even when the Federal Court of Appeal, Abuja restrained the commission from doing so.
“Not even when the court of Appeal Abuja Division in an appeal filled by Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and the court stated succinctly and unambiguously that INEC had no power to either refuse to register a party that have fulfilled the required constitutional provisions; and by extension no power to de-register a party that has fulfilled constitutional stipulations, he stated.
He urged INEC to have a rethink over its decisions in order to give room for justice and equal participation in politics. INEC should take a second look on its de-registration of the 28 political parties. The action is against the Constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria.
“That parties didn’t do well in past elections does not mean they cannot do better in subsequent ones.INEC should give room for equal opportunities and fair play to political parties in Nigeria. A child must crawl before standing or running, he posited.