On NASS Plans To Amend Electoral Act Again

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has said that efforts will be made by the National Assembly to amend the electoral act again to serve as safeguard against weaknesses identified in the law.

Even before the law is tested in a general election, it has faced several amendments.

The Act, by just moving from the National Assembly to the Villa, faced several amendments.

Lawan had during plenary, following a matter of national importance brought to the floor by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (APC, Kebbi North), said the electoral act would be amended again.

Lawan, in his remark, described the judgement by the Supreme Court on Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act as a “landmark” judgment that vindicates the National Assembly.

According to him, further amendment of the Act would strengthen it ahead of the 2023 general elections.

He said, “Let me say that this is one major landmark judgement by the Supreme Court, that the National Assembly had done their job and the court upheld it.

“The idea of what method of primaries should be adopted at the moment is entirely left for the political parties to decide.

“But as we implement the electoral act 2022, we are supposed to be very observant of the strengths and weaknesses of the law.

“This law is supposed to improve the electoral processes and procedures in our country.

“So, it is for us to ensure that where there are weaknesses, we try to come up with measures, amendments to deal with the issues of weaknesses in the law. And, I’m sure it will come full circle when the 2023 elections are held.

“I have no doubt in my mind that all of us in the National Assembly, not only in the Senate, but in the House as well, feel that we must do everything and everything possible to make this electoral act serve the purpose for which it was passed and assented to.

“Therefore, I believe that we should work tirelessly to take note of those areas that we feel are not strong enough – that are weak points in the law – with a view to strengthening them before we finally take our exit in 2023,” he said.

Rising under Order 42 of the Senate Standing Orders, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi lauded the 9th Assembly for resisting the pressure from the executive to amend section 84(12) of Electoral Act 2022.

He also applauded the Supreme court for the clarity, decisiveness and unanimity of its verdict in upholding the separation of powers principle enshrined in our 1999 constitution.

He said the Supreme Court verdict is a major victory towards true democratic governance anchored on the rule of law.

“In my view, the Supreme Court verdict should be celebrated for the following reasons. It restored and anchors the power of making laws to the National Assembly; and establishes a principle that once the President accents to a Bill he/she can’t approbate and reprobate, i.e. he/she cannot go to the courts to amend/reject the Bill in part or in whole”, he said.

Abdullahi, however, underscored the need to amend the Electoral Act to revert to the Direct mode of primaries.

“One issue still remains outstanding, and that is amending the Act (after the 2023 elections) to revert to our earlier stance on Direct primaries.

“Our recent nasty experience of the misuse of consensus and delegate system has vindicated our earlier position on the merit of direct primaries provided that a verifiable membership register of political parties kept simultaneously at the Ward level and with INEC with all the necessary safeguards against corruption and data manipulation, is put in place.

“As the political process towards 2023 unfolds, the National Assembly needs to be observant of the loopholes and weaknesses of the 2022 Electoral Act, so that a comprehensive assessment is undertaken to provide adequate grounds for making amendments to the Act before the end of the term of office of the 9th Assembly in May 2023”, the lawmaker added.

The essence of amending a law is to suit present realities and not to serve the interest of few.

The national assembly followed the pressure of the executive and amended the provision of section 84(12) which had provided for direct primary for all political parties.

Now that over 35 percent of the lawmakers lost in their political parties return ticket bid, they are now pushing for another amendment of the electoral act 2022 when it has not even been tested in a general election.