By Christiana Akinola(Siwes student, Polytechnic Iresi)
House of Representatives is pushing forward with an amendment to the Electoral Act that could authorize the electronic transmission of election results.
The proposed legislation, titled A Bill for an Act to Amend the Electoral Act, 2022, is sponsored by Hon. Francis Waive from Delta State’s Ughelli North/Ughelli South/Udu federal constituency.
The bill aims to revise specific sections of the current Electoral Act to incorporate provisions for voter re-registration, same-day elections, electronic result transmission, and penalties for frivolous election petitions.
During the deliberation on the bill’s general principles, Hon. Waive emphasized the deficiencies in the existing Electoral Act of 2022, asserting that enabling electronic transmission of election results would enhance democracy in Nigeria.
He further advocated for a 10-year review of the voter register as an initial step towards reform.
The proposed legislation mandates the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a re-registration exercise for all eligible voters every decade.
Furthermore, elections for the Presidency, the National Assembly, State Governors, and State Assemblies are proposed to be held on the same day, in accordance with other relevant sections of the act.
