Electoral reforms : Elegbeleye calls for open-ballot system

By Gbenga Ariyibi

Ado Ekiti-As more  Nigerians  are  making case  for the review of electoral reforms, a   member of the House of Representatives, Mr Gbenga Elegbeleye has  joined the league of those calling  for the adoption of an  open ballot system in the nation’s  electoral process just as he canvasses  for  appointment into the position of the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  be made from the ranks of  retired justices t in the nation.

Elegbeleye who is the Deputy -Chairman  House Committee on Sports  spoke with the newsmen in  Ado Ekiti  yesterday said the re- adoption of the open ballot  system  would save the country from  the  various electoral frauds being witnessed in the country in the past

Elegbeleye who represents  Akoko North East/ Akoko North West of Ondo State  in the lower chamber of the National Assembly said the open ballot system was  more transparent and credible, ” with the adoption of open ballot system   the  the  problems of  ballot snaching , multiple voting and other electoral frauds would be a thing of the past”

”l believe  in open  ballot system, it is better and more credible becuse you can see those  who are   lining up  behind the picture of a candidate of their choice”

On who should be the chairman of the INEC after the electoral reforms, the legislator said he did not support the idea of  making the National Judicial Council [NJC] responsible  for  picking the chairman of INEC , saying  such a function could still be left with the presidency to nominate  the chairman subject to the ratification of the national Assembly

He , however submitted that such a  person must be a person  of integrity and long record of  unblemished  character.

” l support a situation in which retired justices of the Supreme Court , or Court of Appeal or Federal High Courts are appointed the chairman of INEC
Elegbeleye noted that  such an electoral reforms must be made before 2011 general  elections.”