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Monday 6 December 2021

INEC asks Buhari to sign Electoral Act Amendment


INEC sends important message to President Buhari over electoral act amendment
 President Mohammadu Buhari Photo credit: Femi Adesina Source: Facebook.
INEC has replied President Mohammadu Buhari’s letter he wrote to the electoral body.
The reply highlighted important provisions of the bill which the electoral body said capable of deepening public trust, public confidences and overall credibility of the elections and the electoral process.

The commission also highlighted landmark proposals in the bill that would radically improve the quality of elections in Nigeria.

The source said:

“An accelerated assent to the bill will facilitate the preparation of major elections such as the FCT municipal area council election, Ekiti and Osun governorship election and the 2023 general elections.” It therefore urged the president not to hesitate in signing the bill on electoral reforms."

The president has until December 19, to assent or decline. Meanwhile members of the National Assembly have expressed readiness to override President Buhari's veto on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill currently before him 

The president is under pressure to withhold assent to the Electoral Act amid concerns due to electronic voting and direct primaries. Buhari has until December 19 to either sign the bill or decline assent after it was transmitted to him by NASS following its passage. 

A report by Leadership indicates that some members of the National Assembly have vowed to veto President Muhammadu Buhari if he declines to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. 

This is coming amid somedays to the December 19 expiration of the timeline for the Nigerian leader to assent to the electoral bill

A senator who spoke in confidence with Leadership newspaper on Thursday, December 2, said that they had met and resolved to overrule Buhari if the president declines to sign the bill. “We have already met on this issue. If the president does not sign the bill, we will veto it. The 2021 Electoral Act Amendment Bill is something Nigerians believe will improve the electoral system. 

“So, for the interest of Nigerians and the electoral process, if the president did not sign the bill, we would veto his assent.” 

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