Maritime
NAGAFF lifts ban on campaign for western Zone elections; releases guidelines.
...says chapter chairmanship candidate must not be less than 30 years.
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) Electoral Commission (NECOM) has lifted ban on campaigns for 2022 elections into four chapters in the Western Zone.
The electoral body also released electoral guidelines for voters and contestants into any of the executive positions.
Chairman of the NECOM, Engr. Chukwunonso Ejimeme in a meeting with members of the Commission on Thursday, gave outline of qualifications for members to be eligible to vote and be voted for.
Some of the requirements for eligibility include; being a registered member of NAGAFF in one of its chapters; the contestant or voter must have completed his registration two months before the commencement of elections.
He added that for one to be eligible for contesting in any NAGAFF election, such a person should must have completed a course in NAGAFF academy or have equivalent qualification from another institution or the person must have evidence that he is undergoing a course in a freight forwarding academy.
To stand a chance to contest and vote during the election, Ejikeme said such member must be a staff of a freight forwarding company, a Customs licensed agency and must have registered with the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).
He maintained that the age of candidates for the chairmanship position must not be less than 30 years and 25 years for other executive positions.
His words, “Contestants and voters must be a bonafide member of NAGAFF and a registered member of CRFFN. For emphasis, if you are not a fully registered member of CRFFN there shall be no consideration for your participation either as a Contestant or eligible voter.
“Contestants for any position in the chapter executive must show that he or she has been a bonafide member of NAGAFF for a period of not less than two months preceding the date of election and incumbent Chairmen and their executives wishing to contest must show that payments of NAGAFF Chapter dues are up-to-date, subject to the prerogatives of power of the Founder, Board chairman and the National President to waive the requirement but the said waiver shall be in writing.
“NAGAFF election calendar starts 3rd June, 2022, sales of nomination forms commence on Friday, 3rd of June, 2022 and ends Monday, 4th of July, 2022.
“Nomination forms shall be obtained from NECOM at NAGAFF headquarters front desk with supporting documents such as membership ID card and evidence of payment of CRFFN fee.
“Money for purchase of nomination forms shall be made to NAGAFF UBA A/C No. 1017463242, A/C Name: NAGAFF.
“Deadline for return of nomination forms by contestants is on Monday, 4th of July 2022 (4/0.
“Electoral complaints and petitions should be addressed to the Chairman
electoral petition Tribunal within 48 hours after election.
“Contestants and voters are enjoined to attach the photocopies of their
payments tellers and keep the original copy which will be presented on the screening day.
“Registration should be done at chapter levels in one Register, hence the NECOM will call for the Registers from all chapters for purposes of screening and accreditation.
“Every contestant must have at least two (2) Referees who must be bonafide members of NAGAFF at the chapter level so as to ascertain his/her eligibility and credibility to stand for the election.
“Mode of voting and eligibility: Voting will be by open secret ballots and only the eligible NAGAFF members can vote and be voted for.
“Time and Venue of Voting: the venue of the elections shall be at NAGAFF village and voting will start by 10am – 4pm. Counting of votes starts immediately, then declaration of results.
The NECOM Chairman stated that the Commission would disqualify any contestant that contravened any of the electoral guidelines even as he frowned against use of abusive language, anyone instigating violence or unruly behaviour.
He also warned against acts of intimidation, obstruction and harassment by any member of NAGAFF saying such members should be reported to the chairman/vice of NECOM
He maintained that new chapter register sent from the NAGAFF headquarters to chapters for members’ registration for the purpose of chapter executive election, are to be submitted at the headquarters on or before Friday, 24/6/2022 by the current administrators in the chapters, latest 4pm.
“Only names that appeared on the register are to be screened for election. Members whose names are not found in the register will not be screened or participate in voting.
Electoral process and campaign starts on Friday, third June 2022 (3/6/22) and ends twenty four hours to the election.
“Election Petition Tribunal (sitting) starts immediately after the election and will be seated at NAGAFF headquarters maximum three days.
“Formal chapter executives who intends to contest for any position in any NAGAFF chapter must make sure that his or her previous chapter monthly remittances are up to date and duly paid for, if not he or she may stand a chance of being disqualified by NECOM,” he said.