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PDP Governors Forum Urges National Assembly to Pass Electoral Act Amendment Bill

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum has emphasized the importance of passing the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, warning that delaying its passage and assent will hinder preparations for the 2023 polls. The forum favors the version of the bill passed by the House of Representatives, which gives the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the latitude to adopt electronic transmission of election results. The governors argue that the Senate version, which subjects INEC's decision to deploy electronic transmission to the Nigerian Communications Commission and National Assembly, undermines the commission's autonomy and independence.

Key Takeaways:

  • The PDP Governors Forum has called on the National Assembly to establish a conference committee to harmonize the two versions of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
  • The forum favors the House of Representatives' version, which allows INEC to decide on electronic transmission of election results.
  • The governors argue that the Senate version offends the Nigerian Constitution by subjecting INEC's decision to deploy electronic transmission to the Nigerian Communications Commission and National Assembly.
  • The forum believes that INEC has demonstrated its capacity to transmit votes electronically with the introduction of the Biomodel Voters Accreditation System (BVAs).
  • The PDP governors recommend that political parties should have the discretion to adopt either direct or indirect primaries in their constitutions and in practice.

Statistics:

  • The 2023 polls are expected to be conducted using the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
  • INEC has demonstrated its capacity to transmit votes electronically with the introduction and deployment of the Biomodel Voters Accreditation System (BVAs) used in the recent bye-election in Delta State.
  • The PDP governors' intervention is aimed at ensuring a free, fair, and credible election that strengthens Nigeria's democracy, constitutionalism, and rule of law.

Sources:

  • "The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum"

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