Joseph Bakare
The House of Reps, on Tuesday, November 24, held discussion on the Bill for an Act to repeal the Electoral Act; and enact the Independent National Electoral Commission Bill, 2020, which has also passed second reading.
The Bill is to regulate the Federal, States and Area Councils Elections and other related matters; and was sponsored by Rep. Aishatu Dukku (APC-Gombe).
Leading the debate, Dukku said that the Bill sought to make provisions for restriction; and qualification for elective office to relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.
She said that it sought to give legal backing to the use of card readers; and other technological devices during general elections and party primaries.
The Reps said that the Bill when passed into law, would provide a timeline for the submission of lists of candidates and criteria for substitution of candidates.
According to her, it will address the limitations of campaign expenses; and address the omission of names of candidates or logo of political parties.
“This amendment has become necessary because of the flaws observed in our electoral system.
“It’s no longer news that our electoral experiences since 1999 show a strong correlation between the efficient and effective electoral legal framework; and the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections.
“In fact, amendments of our electoral laws were long identified as priority legislation by the National Assembly; because of the need to consolidate on the gains of our democratic achievements; and to also address the lacuna identified in the electoral legal framework,” she said.
The Minority Leader of the Reps, Ndudi Elumelu (PDP-Delta), said that the amount of money required to pick a form and contest election should be reduced to make room for the common man to participate.
He said that the house should not allow money to exclude egg heads who could contribute to national development but do not have funds.
The Rep said that when people spent so much to win elections; they would be more concerned about how to regain the amount spent than good governance.
In his ruling, the Speaker of the Reps, Femi Gbajabiamila referred the Bill to the Committee on INEC and Political Party Matters for further legislative actions.