NIGERIA's efforts to review its 1999-constitution may receive the support of the United Nations (UN) and the head of Ghana's electoral body, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan.
The review of the constitution is being planned by the two chambers of the National Assembly.
Besides, the recommendations of the Justice Muhammed Uwais Electoral Reform Panel regarding the issues of staggered elections in the country may form part of the amendment of the constitution.
An international development partner with an office in Washington DC, is said to be currently concluding arrangements to involve Afari-Gyan toward giving an insight to the Senate into how Ghana was able to organise three successful elections over the last decade.
The bill for his trip and his interaction with the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, headed by Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu is to be picked by the development partner, going by documents made available yesterday evening in Abuja.
Also, information from political parties and civil society organisations show that embassies of foreign governments have been asking questions about the seriousness of the constitution review process, and whether it can be achieved within the lifespan of this administration which will end in the next 20 months.
It was learnt that members of staff of the Department of Political Affairs of the UN who visited the country recently made extensive consultations and asked "penetrating questions" on the ongoing constitution review.
One source said that a representative of the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, was also around and wanted to know if the review was feasible and which specific areas needed review.
Going by details released yesterday evening, the decision of the international partner to work with the Senate followed a meeting held at the National Assembly two weeks ago.
Specifically, the partner is willing to offer technical assistance by bringing in an international expert in constitutional and electoral law as well as election management to help the Senate understand how electoral law and systems are operated and managed.
A member of the Senate Committee on the review process said the offer followed a request by the 44-member Committee that it required expert input on whether electoral laws should be part of the constitution or not.
The committee is also seeking the opinion of this partner and others on the issue of a constitutional court and independent candidacy in elections.
And because of the experience of the Ghanian electoral chief on international standards and best practices and coming with a rich background of having conducted successful elections, he will be expected, if he agrees to come, to explain to the senators issues of a legal frame-work for elections and the other issues the Senate is seeking education on.
But beyond the proposed visit of Afari-Gyan, the international partner has offered to make available a wide range of resource materials to guide the work of the National Assembly.
Yesterday evening, a source with the development partner admitted that such a plan was in the offing but had not been concluded. He appealed against mentioning the name of his organisation or his name in print.
His words: "We have plans towards that but it has not been concluded and until we conclude we cannot confirm. If we don't have confirmation from Ghana and we go public and he cannot make it then it will not be useful."
He, however, admitted that his organisation was supporting the Senate on the review process.
Indications that the recommendation on staggered elections would be considered came to light as the Senate committee on constitution review said it would look into the matter at its retreat to be held in Kaduna, the Kaduna State capital, next week.
Although the Presidential Committee appointed to review the report struck out the aspect regarding staggered elections, the Senate panel has collected the full copy of the Uwais report and is studying it ahead of the retreat, The Guardian learnt.
The recommendations read:
"
Elections to the Senate, the House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly shall be staggered in relation to the first set of elections held after the coming into force of this section;
"
after the coming into force of this section, half of the membership of each House of the National Assembly and the State Assembly shall stand dissolved at the expiration of a period of two years from the date of the first sitting of the House and after the coming into force of the new constitution; and,
"
The formula for determining which half of the members shall stand dissolved will be determined by the Independent National Electoral Commission in consultation with political parties with membership in the Assemblies."
