The Senate at its plenary session of Thursday, March 30th 2017 passed the Bill titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Electoral Act, 2010 and for Other Related Matters”. The Bill seeks to, among others, amend the principal Act by making provisions restricting the qualifications for elective office to relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and enabling the use of Card Readers and other technological devices in elections. This came after the conclusion of consideration of the Report on Electoral Amendment Bill by the Senate.
During deliberations, the Senate discussed pertinent issues contained in the report regarding the death of a candidate during an on-going election and the nullification of elections by the court. To address this incident, the Senate approved a provision that enables INEC suspend the election for 21 days during which the political party will conduct new primaries.
Speaking on the Bill’s passage, the Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki (APC: Kwara) who presided over the session expressed delight over the efforts of the Committee, Chaired by Sen. Abubakar Kyari (APC: Borno) and the Senate in general. Sen. Saraki was of the view that the amendments in the Bill would strengthen the democratic process and improve the credibility of elections. He was equally optimistic that the House of Representatives would provide intense legislative insight on the Bill before its transmission to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.
It would be recalled that Sen. Kyari, was moved from the INEC Committee to head the Defence Committee on January 26th 2017. He was however allowed to conclude the work he began as the Chairman of the Committee on INEC and following the passage of this Bill, he is expected to resume duties as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence.
