CSOs advocate quick passage of Electoral Amendment Act

A Coalition of Civil Society Organisations is advocating the quick passage of the Electoral Amendment Act Bill and establishment of the Electoral Offence Commission.

With the federal parliament returning from its 8 week vacation this week, the lawmakers have many legislative assignments, among which the electoral amendment bill is of topmost priority.

The two chambers of the National Assembly will on Tuesday resume plenary after 2 months of a long annual vacation for the federal lawmakers.

Both chambers had on 23rd July adjourned plenary to enable the legislators enjoy their break after a full year of legislative duties in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Aside the resumption of various committee probes and hearings, which were initially suspended midway into their vacation, five main issues will require immediate attention of the lawmakers from Tuesday

These are; the 2021 budget proposal, the Petroleum Industry Bill, Constitution Review, Electoral Act, and the controversial water resources bill.

The House had on 16th, October 2019 vowed to reintroduce the Electoral Act Amendment Bill to which assent was declined.

Civil Society organisations have tasked the National Assembly to give priority to the speedy passage of the new Electoral Bill, which they believe will end electoral malpractices during elections.

They also issued the National Assembly a deadline of December 2020, to be done with the bill, as its expeditious passage would help the Independent National Electoral Commission, test run the electoral Act in 2021 Anambra
election.

With a December 2020 deadline in focus, the National Assembly has been urged to consider seven key electoral reform priorities in the Bill.