Electoral Bill: CISLAC, TI ask N’Assembly to veto Buhari

President Buhari and Senate President Lawan after a meeting at the Presidential Villa on November 22, 2021

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International (TI) Nigeria have expressed their disappointment over the failure of President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

Consequently, CISLAC and TI have urged the National Assembly to veto the president on this Electoral Bill.

Executive Director of CISLAC and Head, TI Nigeria, Auwal Ibrahim Musa, called on the National Assembly not to disappoint Nigerians.

“Elections remain a critical aspect of democracy as it is the gateway for all citizens to achieve their aspirations for democracy, and a transparent election can only be achieved by creating a legal framework a robust legal framework that can respond to the current challenges we face.

“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.

“We believe 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.”

Auwal, who is the Chairman, Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), urged the federal lawmakers to exercise their powers to veto the president.

“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.”

“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.

“NASS can simply not afford to disappoint Nigerians!” he said.