A bill for the amendment of the Electoral Act has scaled second reading in the House of Representatives, Channels TV reports.
Sponsored by Honourable Francis Waive, the bill aims to streamline the electoral process by proposing several key changes. One of the primary provisions of the bill is the proposal to conduct general elections on the same day, a move intended to save both money and time for the country while preventing the bandwagon effect.
Additionally, the proposed amendment seeks to make electronic transmission of election results compulsory, a measure aimed at enhancing transparency and efficiency in the electoral process. The bill also includes provisions to impose heavy fines on individuals who file frivolous petitions, with the goal of reducing the number of cases that end up in court.
Furthermore, the amendment bill calls for a fresh registration exercise for eligible voters, highlighting the importance of maintaining an accurate and up-to-date voter register.
The passage of this bill marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s electoral system. By addressing key issues such as election timing, result transmission, and voter registration, the proposed amendments aim to strengthen the democratic process and ensure free, fair, and credible elections in the country.