Electoral Act 2010: NASS Joint Committee Submits Report On Repeal

The Joint Technical Committee on repeal of Electoral Act 2010, on Tuesday, submitted its report to the National Assembly Joint Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Electoral Matters.

The Committee Chairman who is also the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Festus Okoye, made the presentation at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

Presenting the report, Okoye said that the compilation was a product of some level of consensus.

This is as he disclosed that though the document was not perfect, the committee is confident that perceived imperfections in the Bill will be corrected at its third reading.

“It is still a work in progress and we believe it will guarantee credibility to our electoral process,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Sen. Kabiru Gaya said that the ongoing amendment bill would not become just another addition to the myriad of reports that had been shelved over the years in the area of electoral reform.

“We are committed to put in place the requisite legislative framework that will enhance the rebirth of a vibrant electoral system for our growing but delicate democracy.

“We believe this electoral bill when passed into law will be a stepping stone to climbing the steps of improving our democratic processes.”

In his remarks, Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege said that the moment the electoral system was sanitised, every other thing would fall in place.

“The entire country will be grateful for what you have done,” he said.

In his remark, Chairman INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu commended members of the committee for their commitment at ensuring that Nigeria has a brand new electoral act by the end of the first quarter.

“As the National Assembly resumes on Feb. 9, there will be a clean copy of the bill tabled before the Senate and the House of Representatives by the technical committee.

“With this, passing of the bill within the first quarter is more or less assured.”

The joint committee is composed of members from INEC, the Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation and other professional bodies.