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  • Updated: January 17, 2022

Enact New Electoral Law Before 2023 Election — Professor Jega To National Assembly

Enact New Electoral Law Before 2023 Election — Professor J

Professor Attahiru Jega, the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has stated that enacting a new electoral law ahead of next year's election is a step in the right direction.

The former INEC boss, during a town hall meeting organized by Yiaga Africa, called on the National Assembly and President Muhammadu Buhari to pass the Electoral Amendment Bill so that INEC can hit the ground running ahead of the 2023 elections.

The Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo in his welcome address, explained that the meeting was aimed at discussing key provisions of the Electoral Bill and their implications for election management, election security, electoral integrity and voter participation as well as legislative and executive action required to conclude the amendment process.

Jega disclosed that apart from the fact that it is difficult to conduct elections in Nigeria, there has been no significant improvement in the electoral framework since 2010.

He agreed that there could be grey areas in the Electoral Bill which explains why President Muhammadu Buhari declined to assent to it. He however stated that there are other good things in the bill, arguing that the baby should not be thrown away with the bathwater.

According to Professor Jega,

“I believe Nigeria should go into the next elections with a new law as there are many good things in the bill that will improve the integrity and conduct of elections.

“As I have said earlier, since 2010, we have not had significant improvement in the electoral framework.

“Speaking on direct and indirect primaries, some people believe that governors do influence the outcome of indirect primaries and some feel direct primaries is a way out of this, but the question is, how many parties have credible register of members?

“Give INEC the law to begin preparations for the 2023 elections. Any governor that manipulates direct primaries under this present condition will also have the capacity to manipulate indirect primaries.

“What we are saying is that you cannot throw the baby away with the bathwater.

"Let’s think more carefully. The good things in the bill should be signed into law immediately so that INEC can start serious work for the 2023 elections.”

He further argued that the commission has a short time to implement the law when passed since elections are just around the corner.

He called on the National Assembly to resolve all issues and give INEC the law within 10 days of resumption to enable it to implement it for the 2023 elections.  

According to him, INEC made 31 recommendations to the amended 2010 Electoral Act to conduct credible elections, the National Assembly however approved only 25 of the recommendations.

“Give INEC the law to begin preparation for 2021. Drop issue of direct and indirect primaries and let’s move forward,” he said.

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