The Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2014 proposed by the House of Representatives was passed on Wednesday, 14th January 2015. The Bill’s objective is to ensure a level playing field for all participants in the electoral process and guarantee a more transparent process of conduct of elections in Nigeria.
Though the Bill was passed for second reading on Tuesday, 8th July, 2014, a further amendment to the Electoral Act (Amendment), 2010 was proposed by Hon. Sam Tsokwa, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business on Wednesday by inserting a clause to section 26 of the Electoral Amendment Act, 2010 (as Amended) to ensure that Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) vote at the forthcoming elections.
It will be recalled that the Senate had also considered an amendment to make provision for internally displaced persons to vote in their respective camps nationwide through a proposed insertion of section 42(2). However, the Bill was later stalled at its second reading in December last year as the Senate was of the view that a resolution employing INEC to use all administrative mechanisms within the Electoral Act to ensure that IDPs of adult age exercise their franchise in time for the General Elections would be more effective.
While the Senate and the House of Representatives are expected to harmonise their Bills at the Conference stage, it is unlikely that the Bill will be passed and assented to before the Presidential and Legislative Elections in February 2015. Both chambers had adjourned on the 14th of January 2015 in preparation for the General Election and are expected to resume on the 17th of February 2015.