A Bill to amend select provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 (HB 37) has been read for the second time in the House of Representatives and referred to the Committee on Electoral Matters for further legislative action.

Leading the debate on the Bill at the plenary session on Wednesday, 7 February 2024, Hon. Francis Waive (PDP: Edo), informed lawmakers that the Bill proposes amendments to encompass a range of electoral matters including, voter registration, voting systems, collation of results, and dispute of elections. According to Hon. Waive, the Bill seeks to improve the efficiency and integrity of the electoral process and promote greater transparency in the elections.

Speaking on the proposed amendments to section 130 (2) which seeks to provide a penalty for the presentation of frivolous petitions to an election tribunal, Hon. Waive explained that this will allow the courts to focus on legitimate grievances and prioritize cases with substantial merits.

The second reading of the Bill sparked robust debate and deliberations among lawmakers, with members expressing diverse viewpoints on the proposed amendments. Discussions centered on the potential implications of the amendments on access to justice and citizens’ participation. For example, some lawmakers believed that determining what constitutes a frivolous petition can be subjective and open to interpretation and that this may lead to inconsistencies or biases in the application of prohibitions, potentially disadvantaging certain individuals or groups.

In addition, lawmakers expressed concerns over the potential misapplication of penalties based on political affiliations rather than the merit of the case. However, most lawmakers expressed their support for the Bill when put to a voice vote before its referral to the Committee on Electoral Matters.