The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it
will hold a meeting on Saturday over the implementation of the electoral bill
2022.
On Friday, President Muhammadu Buhari finally signed the
electoral act amendment bill into law.
Buhari had initially rejected the bill after the national
assembly made direct primary compulsory for political parties in the country.
The president said the provision “violates the spirit of
democracy”.
Consequently, the senate and House of Representatives
reworked the bill to provide for indirect and direct primary, as well as
consensus candidates.
In a statement issued by Festus Okoye, national commissioner
and chairman, information and voter education committee, INEC said the signing
of the bill is historic.
“It contains many progressive provisions that will
facilitate the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria,” the
statement reads.
“The nation now has
the Electoral Act 2022 which replaces the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended). Together
with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the new Act constitutes the principal
law to govern the conduct of future elections, including the 2023 General
Election.”
INEC said given the tight timelines contained in the new
law, it fully appreciates the importance of proceeding with their
implementation in earnest.
“Consequently, an extraordinary meeting of the Commission is
scheduled for tomorrow Saturday 26th February 2022. Thereafter, a statement
will be issued on the way forward,” the statement reads.
In the newly signed electoral bill, parties are now at
liberty to use indirect, direct primary, as well as the consensus option to
elect their candidates for any election that will be organised by INEC.
Electronic transmission of election results is also part of
the new provisions in the bill.
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