By Reward ChapiOdekina
The Home of Representatives has accredited focused amendments to the Electoral Act, imposing stiffer penalties for vote shopping for and promoting. People discovered responsible might face a minimal of two years’ imprisonment or a N5 million nice—or each—and a 10-year ban from contesting elections.
The amendments have been adopted in the course of the clause-by-clause consideration of the report of the Home Committee on Electoral Issues, presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu. Underneath the revised Clause 22(a and c), penalties for vote shopping for and promoting are considerably increased than earlier provisions, which capped fines at N500,000 or two years’ imprisonment.
To reinforce election transparency, the Home additionally amended Part 60(3) to require the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) to electronically transmit outcomes from polling models to the INEC End result Viewing Portal (IREV) in actual time, alongside bodily collation. Presiding officers who intentionally breach procedures on counting, announcement, or transmission of outcomes now face a minimal nice of N500,000, a minimum of six months’ imprisonment, or each.
Further reforms embody:
Releasing election funds to INEC a minimum of one 12 months earlier than a basic election to enhance planning and conduct of polls.
Growing penalties for a number of voter registration to a minimal nice of N100,000 or one 12 months’s imprisonment, or each.
Extending the deadline for political events to submit their candidate lists to INEC from 180 days to 210 days earlier than an election.
Permitting electronically generated voter identification, together with downloadable voter playing cards with distinctive QR codes, for accreditation and voting.
Chairman of the Home Committee on Electoral Issues, Adebayo Balogun, mentioned the Home has dropped plans to repeal the Electoral Act 2022, opting as an alternative for focused amendments after far-reaching proposals—together with early voting, inmate voting, and substitute of the Everlasting Voters’ Card (PVC)—did not safe broad consensus amongst lawmakers and stakeholders.
Balogun emphasised that the choice displays democratic maturity, making certain laws is inclusive and anchored on broad settlement. He described the amendments as “very significant,” aimed toward consolidating the strengths of the Electoral Act 2022, addressing gaps, and enhancing implementation with out destabilizing the authorized framework.
The Home assured Nigerians that the modification course of was clear and consultative, involving INEC, safety companies, civil society, political events, skilled our bodies, growth companions, and residents. Whereas some modern proposals weren’t adopted, they continue to be a part of ongoing discussions on electoral reform.
“Our purpose stays clear: to make sure that each election in Nigeria is clear, inclusive, safe, and really reflective of the desire of the Nigerian folks,” Balogun acknowledged.
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