Judiciary Has Made Rigging Difficult – Rep Member

Some landmark judgements delivered by the courts over 2007 elections may make it difficult for politicians to rig in 2011, a member of House of Representatives, Hon. Mayor Eze has said.

Eze, who represents Orlu/Ora/Oru East Federal Constituency in Imo State, said that with the extent the judiciary had gone in exposing the ills of rigging in the Nigerian political system, no politician would want to be caught in the act any longer.

He was of the opinion that those who want to go in for any elective position in their respective states and constituencies should start early to sensitise their people as well as render their stewardship on what they have done in respect for those who had been elected before.

The federal law maker urged the media who he described as the watchdogs of the society, to assist the polity by showing patriotism and nationalism through monitoring of elections from start to finish and if possible write down the results as they monitor.

This according to him, would go a long way in curbing rigging and manipulation of election results.

“It is therefore the duty of the press to show public opinion, on national issues. Let the press not allow itself to be cowed. The press should also assist out of  her patriotism and nationalism monitor the elections and take down records,” he stated.

Eze advised the executive arm of government to always work in harmony with the legislative arm so that frictions would be avoided, stating that it is criminal for any executive not to implement any  budget passed by the parliament since the parliament represents the people  and which ever bill they passed are the making of the people.

He noted that the success of any democracy depended on the parliament and not on the executive, adding that the failure of the executive arm all over the world is the failure of oversight function of the parliament.

According to him, modern democracies believe in direct representation through the electoral process, because it is a product of the people and not by a few cabals.