The National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters has proposed significant salary reductions for legislators and executive officials. Under the plan, lawmakers’ salaries would be reduced by 30%, while the salaries of the President and Vice President would be cut by 40%.
The proposal was discussed on Monday during an interactive session led by Senator Sharafadeen Alli, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters. The session, which included members of the judiciary and representatives from political parties, focused on reviewing and amending the Electoral Act 2022.
The proposed salary reductions are part of a broader initiative aimed at reducing government expenditure and implementing cost-saving measures. The committee also reviewed several other proposals to enhance electoral efficiency and security.
### Additional Proposals
1. **Single-Day Elections**: The committee considered the possibility of conducting all elections—presidential, National Assembly, governorship, and State Houses of Assembly—on a single day. This change aims to streamline the electoral process and reduce associated costs.
2. **Voter Registration and National Identity Number (NIN)**: Political parties suggested linking voter registration to the National Identity Number (NIN) to improve security and cost efficiency.
3. **Appointment of INEC Chairman**: There was a proposal to change the process for appointing the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Instead of being appointed by the executive branch, the position would be advertised publicly to attract interested candidates.
Senator Alli assured that the committee would continue engaging with INEC and the public to ensure that future elections are conducted smoothly and with minimal disruptions.
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