Nigerias cabinet has rejected reforms that would have empowered the judiciary to pick the chairman and board members of the vital electoral commission, BBC online reports Saturday.
President Umaru YarAduas cabinet insisted he should retain those powers. Democracy activists called the decision a U-turn and said it raised fears for the fairness of the next federal elections, due to be held in 2011.
At the same time the commission will be revamped to allow the participation of the media and civil society groups.
President YarAdua promised to reform the electoral process following his election in 2007. Most observers said those polls were characterised by vote rigging, voter intimidation and ballot-box stuffing.
