Frontline human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to stop conducting by-elections.
In a statement, Falana said since the votes scored during elections belong to political parties, the replacement of elected candidates as a result of death or resignation should not call for a by-election.
According to Falana, by-elections lead to wasteful spending of unnecessary funds.
He said the political parties that sponsored the candidates that die or resign should be directed to fill the vacancy by nominating another candidate.
The human rights lawyer said the National Assembly should therefore amend the Electoral Act to allow political parties to replace elected public officers who lose their positions as a result of death, resignation, or impeachment.
Citing previous cases on the matter, Falana noted, by virtue of Section Two-two-one of the Nigerian Constitution, elections are won by political parties and not by candidates.
