Electoral Bill: CISLAC Urges NASS To Veto President

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, has urged the National Assembly not to disappoint Nigerians but to veto President Muhammadu Buhari for his refusal to sign the electoral bill into law.

A statement signed by CISLAC’s Executive Director, Mr Auwal Ibrahim Rafsanjani, on Tuesday said the National Assembly cannot afford to disappoint Nigerians now as elections remain a critical aspect of democracy.

Rafsanjani who is also Head, Transparency International Nigeria, expressed disappointment over the failure of the president to sign the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021 into law.

The Electoral Bill, which was transmitted to Buhari on the 17th of November 2021, provided for direct primaries to be undertaken by all registered political parties to elect their candidates for elections.

It became a source of controversy as majority of the governors urged the president to reject that provision and not sign it into law as it will take away the powers of political parties from making decisions on matters that concern them.

In a letter written to the National Assembly, THE WHISTLER reported that the president cited cost of running the system by political parties and the independent national electoral commission and the need to allow political parties to decide their affairs.

Noting the critical essence of election in a democracy as it is the gateway for all citizens to achieve their aspirations, Rafsanjani pointed out that a transparent election can only be achieved by creating a robust legal framework that can respond to the current challenges Nigeria faces.

He said, “The Bill seeks to improve the electoral system by providing the legal backing for the use of technology in the accreditation of voters and transmission of election results.

“It seeks to enhance timelines for electoral activities, including voting, collation, and announcement of results, and adequately defines over-voting, confers authority on INEC to review questionable election results and monitor direct primaries for all political parties.”

He is of the opinion that “this bill will increase transparency in our electoral process, encourage citizens to participate in the process as aspirants and voters as well as help improve the ideology of our elections by reducing the reliance on dirty money.

“We, therefore, call on the 9th Assembly to etch its name in gold in the right pages of our history by exercising its powers under S. 58 (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended) which states that ‘Where the President withholds his assent and the bill is again passed by each House by two-thirds majority, the bill shall become law and the assent of the President shall not be required’.”

He added that, “If the National Assembly vetoes the president, it will show their independence and above all, respect the view of the constituents who gave them the mandate to legislate on their behalf.”