The 2022 Electoral Act Amendment Bill has been described as a step in the right direction with African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, CentreLSD, praising the Federal Government, FG, for signing it into law.
According to the Civil Society Organisation, CSO, the presidential assent has brought into effect, a new electoral law for Nigeria – The Electoral Act 2022.
Also worthy of commendation are members of the national assembly, civil society groups, and well-meaning Nigerians who worked assiduously to see that an improved law that guarantees free, fair, and credible elections, is enacted in Nigeria before the 2023 general elections.
A statement released by Mr Vincent Dania, Senior programme officer and team lead on elections and gender states that the new Act provides a legal framework that empowers the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to deploy technological solutions such as the Smart Card Reader, SCR, or other technological devices in its conduct of elections and results transmission.
Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2022
It improves voting procedure for Persons with Disabilities, PWDs and allows INEC to review the declaration of election results made under duress. The new Act also improves the timelines for the conduct of elections and creates sufficient timeframes for fulfilling various requirements and activities defined in the Electoral Act.
It is hoped that INEC will prepare for the Ekiti, and Osun Gubernatorial Elections slated for June and July 2022, as well as the 2023 General elections in line with the improved provisions of the new Electoral Act 2022.
The Centre prays that the outcome of this new legal framework for elections fulfils the yearnings of Nigerians for the right political leadership needed for Nigeria’s transformation.
