Almami Cyllah, IFES regional director for Africa, comments on the electoral reforms approved by Nigeria's Senate on March 25, 2010.
"The proposed bill by the Senate of the Nigeria national assembly to guarantee the political and financial independence of the Electoral Commission is a step in the right direction. The independence of the Electoral Commission where its budget is voted and coming from the consolidated funds, where Commissioners are appointed after a consultative process and supported by the various stakeholders, and where Commissioners are guaranteed security of tenure will encourage the members to be assertive, independent minded and will hardly bow to executive pressure."