Ex INEC Boss, Jega condemns cross-carpeting in politics, says it subverts electoral integrity

Adebayo Adenrele



A former Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega has said cross-carpeting in politics by Governors and Legislators is one of the factors undermining the integrity of election.

Jega stated this on Arise TV when responding to issues surrounding the integrity of the conduct on elections in Nigeria.

Citing the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, the former INEC Boss noted that if any politician cross carpet to another party while in office, his seat has to be declared vacant for a conduct of a fresh election.

However, Politicians snub the due procedures because they shift their tent to the ruling party, which further subvert the integrity of elections in the country.

His words: “Our Constitution is very clear about issues of cross-carpeting. Section 68, sub section 1G stated it clearly that if anybody after being elected leaves or moves to another party, his seat becomes automatically vacant.

“There is also a procedure, which says unless there is crisis in the party, or there is a merger or two or more parties.

“But, what we have seen is that Politicians recklessly move, not just Legislators now even Governors, a few years into their tenure will simply move into party very opportunistically and fortunately, because they are moving to the ruling party but their seats are not declared vacant in such a manner that INEC can conduct elections to fix the vacancies.

“So, this reckless attitude and midset of our Politicians certainly contribute significantly to undermining the integrity of elections.”