The National Conference Committee on Political Parties and Electoral Matters has recommended that any person convicted of any electoral offence should be disqualified for a period of ten years from the date of conviction; from contesting any election or holding any elective or appointive position either in government or political party.

Such offences mentioned by the Committee include registration offences, campaign finance breaches and breach of political party finance provision.

The committee also recommended that any action challenging the conduct of primaries by a political party shall be filed within 14 days of the accrual of the cause of action.

These and other recommendations were presented to the plenary of the conference yesterday by the Co-Chairmen of the Committee, Senator Iyorcha Ayu and Senator Ken Nnamani.

The committee in its recommendation advocated the enforcement of a Code of Conduct for political parties already drawn up by the Inter-Party Advisory Council.

In the course of screening nominees of the President for any Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) position, the committee recommended that the Senate should set aside at least two weeks to allow for public objection if any.

The committee also recommended that for party to enhance party independence and discipline, all members must submit themselves to the principle of party supremacy and that elective members of the party must respect party decisions at all times.

On the conduct of election, the committee recommended that biometric data of all electorates should be captured, stored and used for elections in the country.

In addition, it said INEC should ensure that the latest technology is deployed at all times in the conduct of elections as is the case in other jurisdictions.

The committee also recommended that relevant sections of the Constitution and the Electoral Act be amended to provide for independent candidacy during elections.

•Photo shows Co-Chairmen, National Conference Committee on Political Parties and Electoral Matters, Senator Ken Nnamani.

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