National Assembly to harmonise Electoral Bill on Monday
Gossip • 2d ago
**Electoral Bill Harmonisation: A Crucial Step Towards a More Credible Voting Process**
As Nigeria continues on its democratic journey, the National Assembly is poised to take a crucial step towards strengthening our electoral system. This week, a joint conference committee of lawmakers will meet to iron out discrepancies in the Electoral Amendment Bill, with the goal of transmitting a harmonised version to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
The Electoral Amendment Bill has been a contentious issue, with the Senate and House of Representatives passing differing versions of the bill. While the Senate proposed a more robust role for technology in collating and transmitting election results, the House took a more cautious approach. To break this impasse, a joint committee has been established to find common ground and produce a single version of the bill.
The stakes are high, given the controversies that marred the 2023 general election. Many Nigerians were disappointed by the INEC's failure to upload presidential election results in real-time, which raised questions about the integrity of the process. This experience has highlighted the need for a more reliable and transparent system, and the Electoral Amendment Bill is a key step towards achieving this goal.
The one-week window given to the joint committee is a tight deadline, but it is a necessary one. Nigerians expect their lawmakers to work together to deliver a bill that addresses the concerns of all stakeholders. By doing so, the National Assembly can demonstrate its commitment to good governance and its willingness to learn from past mistakes.
Ultimately, the harmonisation of the Electoral Amendment Bill is a crucial step towards a more credible voting process. If successful, it will pave the way for a more reliable and transparent electoral system, which is essential for consolidating Nigeria's democracy.