Nigerians and key stakeholders are calling for a thorough and comprehensive review of the ongoing Electoral Act Amendment Bill, arguing that the current changes do not go far enough to fix problems in the country's electoral system.
The bill, which aims to update the Electoral Act 2022 ahead of the 2027 general elections, has sparked heated debates.
Many people are worried about issues like how election results are transmitted and how to make politicians more accountable.
During a recent discussion on Good Morning Nigeria (a popular NTA programme), guests stressed the need for real, lasting improvements rather than small fixes.
They urged political parties to change how they pick candidates by focusing more on people who have strong community support, good records of public service, and a real commitment to reforms.
The stakeholders also pushed for practical measures to hold lawmakers accountable.
These include:
Holding regular townhall meetings in constituencies so voters can directly question their representatives.
Requiring lawmakers to publish clear annual scorecards showing what they have achieved.
Setting realistic rules for recalling underperforming elected officials, making it easier for voters to remove them if necessary.
These steps, they said, would force politicians to work for the benefit of all Nigerians instead of just themselves or their parties.
The controversy has grown because the Senate and House of Representatives passed different versions of the bill.
Key disagreements include whether electronic transmission of election results from polling units should be made mandatory or left optional.
Many civil society groups, opposition figures, and ordinary citizens have criticised parts of the Senate's version, saying it weakens transparency and could open the door to rigging in future elections.
The House of Representatives recently set up a special committee to review and harmonise the two versions, aiming to resolve differences quickly.
Stakeholders are watching closely, urging the National Assembly to listen to public demands and produce a stronger, more progressive law that builds trust in Nigeria's democracy.
With the 2027 elections approaching, many believe these reforms are crucial for ensuring free, fair, and credible polls that truly reflect the will of the people.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com