Constitution Abuja – Democratic Peoples Party (DPC), has proposed an amendment to the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2010 ahead of the 2019 general elections. The party made the proposal in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by its National Chairman, Rev. Olusegun Peters. He said that the proposed review would strengthen the nation’s political process ahead of the polls. He called on the National Assembly and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to jointly initiate the process of review of the 1999 constitution and the Electoral Act 2010. “It has become
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necessary to review the constitution and Electoral Act; as it will strengthen opposition parties and widen the political space and deepen our frail democracy. “We call on the National Assembly and the Independent National Electoral Commission to take immediate action to amend the extant laws and provide grant for political parties’ operations as obtainable in other democratic countries.’’ He said that funding of political parties by INEC should be topmost on the agenda of the proposed review of the constitution and the electoral act. Peters explained that funding of political parties by INEC and other reviews sought by the party would enhance democracy and allow a level playing ground for the parties. He attributed the poor performance of some political parties in recent elections to the challenge of funding. “DPC advocates for the inclusion of annual grant to political parties contesting various elections to enable them mobilise their members across the country and present credible candidates for election. “The need to give grant to political parties cannot be overemphasized as parties that are not in government find it difficult to raise adequate funds to carry out their activities as expected in modern democracies. “The Senator Ike Ekweremadu-led constitution review committee should consider this proposal and act accordingly,’’ the statement quoted Peters as saying. He alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stopped the funding of political parties by INEC in pursuant of its agenda to entrench a one party system in Nigeria. (NAN)