NAGAFF Lifts Ban On Electioneering Campaign, Begins Sales Of Forms

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) Electoral Commission (NECOM) has declared open the ban on electioneering campaign for the 2022 elective position into the various chapters under the Western Zone.

The NECOM also disclosed the electoral guidelines for  contestants and voters who are interested for the purpose to study and understand the rules of engagement for all concerned.

Speaking at a meeting with members of the association on Thursday in Lagos, Chairman of NECOM , Engr. Chukwunonso A.Ejikeme said any contestant for elective position for chapter elections shall be a registered member of that chapter where he/she has the right to vote and be voted for.

He said the ongoing registration at the chapters for the purpose of the election will end on the 23rd of June 2022; noting that only members who registered within this registration period are eligible to be screened for voting.

 

While giving the electoral guidelines for voters and contestants respectively, Chukwunonso reiterated that a member with requisite qualifications in Freight Forwarding practice or who is currently undergoing courses in maritime related studies can participate.

According to him, an alumnus of NAGAFF Academy or any affiliated maritime institutions professional certification on freight forwarding is an added advantage stand a chance to contest and vote adding that staff of Freight Forwarding Companies and Licensed Customs Companies  shall register individually with NAGAFF and CRFFN to qualify to be either a contestant or a voter.

 

He noted that “Contestants for the chairmanship post must not be below age 30 years and the minimum age for other elective post is 25 years.

 

 

“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 third June,2022 3/06/2022 Sales of nomination forms commence on Friday, third of June 2022 (3/06/2022) and ends Monday, fourth July 2022 (4/07/2022).

 

 

“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.

 

 

“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, fourth of July 2022 (4/07/2022).

 

“Electoral complaint and petition 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.

 

 

He said monies for purchase of Nomination Forms are non-refundable, adding that NECOM Chairman shall be at liberty to disqualify any contestant found  wanting in contravention of Electoral Guidelines of NAGAFF.

 

 

In line with NAGAFF statutes, he said contestants are not allowed to use abusive  language or instigate violence pointing out volent behaviour by contestants/ supporters shall attract sanctions including disqualification.

 

 

He said every available position to be contested for is open to all members who have interest, stressing that a level playing field should be created at all Chapters of NAGAFF, Headquarters/Zonal offices by the executive to enable any candidate to call all members to sell his/her programmes to the electorate in the Chapters at anytime.

 

Chukwunonso affirmed that any act of intimidation, obstruction and harassment by any member of NAGAFF should be reported to the President/Deputy President/Electoral Commission for appropriate sanction including expulsion from NAGAFF saying electoral commission may create a Standing Committee to ensure orderliness in the Chapters for the purpose of election database and equity.

 

 

On registration strategies,the Chairman noted that “Payments of registration and annual subscription in relation to the elections shall be made to NAGAFF UBA A/C No. 1017463242, A/C Name: NAGAFF.

“Voters are required to pay their registration/annual subscription fees for accreditation purposes.

 

 

“The new chapter register sent from the NAGAFF headquarter 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.

 

By Roland Ekama