By Jude Opara
The senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Chief Victor Umeh has said that if he returns to the 11th National Assembly, he would join hands with other progressive minded senators to review the controversial Electoral Act 2026.
Umeh who spoke with newsmen on Thursday after his screening by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), said there are some clauses in the Act that clearly infringed on the fundamental rights of some people, particularly the clause affecting movement of politicians from one political party to another after losing party tickets.
“Well, I believe that the Electoral Act needs to be reviewed again in the 11th Senate. If I return to the Senate, I will join in the struggle for a comprehensive review of the Act.
“When it was passed, I was in the Senate with some of my colleagues who did not agree with several provisions contained in the law. There are issues the National Assembly had no business legislating on, particularly regarding the freedom of association and the right of individuals to belong to political parties of their choice.
“Freedom of movement and association are fundamental human rights. You cannot prevent somebody from leaving an environment that is politically choking him,” he stated.
Sen. Umeh further criticised aspects of the law that reduced punishments for electoral offences, especially offences related to multiple voter cards and presentation of false academic qualifications.
According to him, the previous punishment for possession of multiple voter cards was more severe before it was allegedly reduced in the amended law.
“The Electoral Act reduced the punishment for anyone caught with multiple voter’s cards. Initially, the punishment was a 10-year jail term with a punitive fine, but it was reduced to two years. It is surprising that a law-making institution would reduce penalties for acts that are clearly criminal in nature,” he said.
The ranking Senator also lamented what he described as weakened sanctions for submission of fraudulent academic credentials by political office seekers, wondering why that should be the case.
“You are not compelled to claim a university degree, but if you say you attended a university, then you must produce a certificate.
“The constitutional minimum qualification is the West African School Certificate. But if someone claims to possess a PhD or any higher qualification which he does not have, and he is caught, such a person should be punished,” he added.
The aspirant expressed confidence that future lawmakers with strong principles would revisit and strengthen the nation’s electoral laws in the interest of democratic integrity and national progress.
On the screening process, Umeh who said the screening exercise was smooth also expressed confidence that the NDC would rescue Nigeria from its current challenges.
He noted that the rising number of those seeking elective offices under the platform of the party were driven by the desire to save the country and to serve Nigerians.
“From the influx of people into the party, Nigerians have taken the Nigeria Democratic Congress as a party on a rescue mission to reset all the things happening in this country. We pray for the smooth conclusion of this process and for a new lease of life for ordinary Nigerians who are suffering,” he stated.
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