The House of Representatives has passed six Electoral Amendment Bills for second reading after a short debate on “A Bill for an Act to make provisions to cover the lacuna in the event of the Death of a Governorship Candidate any time before the Conclusion of an Election(HB 429) and A Bill for an Act to include the Use of Card Reader as Part of the Act and clearly specify the Tenure of Office of the Secretary, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)“(HB 220).
Commencing the debate at the House plenary session on 4th May, 2016, House Majority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC: Lagos) and sponsor of one of the Bills, HB 429, explained that the Bill sought to amend the Electoral Act, 2010 to provide for the event of the death of a governorship candidate before the conclusion of an election.
Speaking against the other Bill, HB 220, sponsored by Hon. Uzoma Nkem Abonta, Hon. Leo Ogor (PDP: Delta)expressed fears that the card reader could be manipulated to disenfranchise numerous voters and suggested the introduction of an electronic voting system in line with international best practices.
Other Bills that passed second reading alongside the aforementioned include:
(a)A Bill for an Act to Amend the Electoral Act of 2010 to Empower Election Tribunals and Courts to declare Candidates who scored the Second Highest Votes as Winners of Elections when Tribunal or Court finds/holds the winner of the Election Unqualified for the Election
(b)A Bill for an Act to ensure that all Political Parties are Gender Sensitive to Eliminate all forms of Discrimination in all Political Parties
(c) A Bill for an Act to increase the amounts permitted as Maximum Election Expenses to be incurred by Candidates Standing for Elections
(d)A Bill for an Act on Nullification of Election by Tribunals or Courts and for other Related Matter
The Bills has been referred to the Committee on Electoral and Political Matters for further Legislative input.
