Senate, reps may consider electoral bill on Thursday as report is laid

The senate and house of representatives have received the report on the electoral act amendment bill.

The bill was laid before the upper legislative chamber and the lower legislative chamber during the plenary sessions on Wednesday after chairmen of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) committees, moved a motion.

The legislation is seeking to repeal and re-enact the 2010 electoral act which has been under consideration for years.

TheCable had reported how the national assembly blocked the transmission of election results through electronic means in clause 50(2) of the bill.

In clause 88 of the legislation, the lawmakers tripled expenses for presidential, gubernatorial, senate and house of representatives elections by about 200 percent.

The alleged action by the national assembly has drawn criticism from many Nigerians.

Forty-two civil society organisations (CSOs) described the action of the parliament as “self-serving”.

“We are worried about the grave implications these underhanded manipulations and illegal actions will have on our electoral process,” the CSOs had said in a statement.

“We call on Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, to speak up clearly that they are not aware of these amendments and are not part of any attempt to subvert the voices of Nigerians.

The national assembly is expected to consider and pass the bill on Thursday.