“SENATE FAST-TRACK ELECTORAL ACT OVERHAUL: OSHIOMHOLE, TAMBUWAL ON 7-Man POWER PANEL”
GREATRIBUNETVNEWS– THE Senate has set up a seven-member ad-hoc committee to consolidate senators’ inputs on the Electoral Act amendment ahead of 2027, following a three-hour closed-door session.
Key Issues:
– Committee Composition: Chaired by Niyi Adegbonmire (Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters), with Adamu Aliero, Aminu Tambuwal, Adams Oshiomhole, Danjuma Goje, Tony Nwoye, and Titus Zam.
– Timeline: 3-day deadline to submit a report to the Senate by Tuesday.
– Purpose: Synthesize senators’ views, address outstanding concerns, and ensure due diligence before concurrence with the House of Representatives.
– Key Provisions in the Bill: Stiffer sanctions for vote-buying (up to N5m fine, 2-year jail term, 10-year ban from contesting), tougher penalties for result falsification and obstruction, electronic voter ID with QR code, and mandatory electronic transmission of polling unit results.
– Context : The Senate stepped down the report on Wednesday to allow more time for study, emphasizing the bill’s importance to electoral integrity and public confidence.
_”This is a very important bill, especially as it is election time. We must take our time to ensure justice is done to all, so that we do not end up at the tribunal,”_ Senate President Godswill Akpabio said.
_”Mandated to contribute, galvanise and distil the opinion of senators on the bill,”_ Akpabio added, announcing the committee’s formation.
Bamidele further disclosed that the bill recognises the voting rights of prisoners, mandates INEC to register eligible inmates, standardises delegates for indirect party primaries, and requires the release of election funds at least one year before polling day.
According to him, the reforms are aimed at guaranteeing credible, transparent and secure elections beginning with the 2027 general polls, subject to approval by at least two-thirds of state Houses of Assembly, in line with constitutional requirements.
“At the end of it all, good governance, enhanced security and the welfare of our constituents shall remain our cardinal objectives,” Bamidele said
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