Fact Check: What is Electoral Act Amendment Bill

Fact Check: What is Electoral Act Amendment Bill

Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2022.

Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, signed the long awaited Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law.

Nigerians all over the country have been showering praises on the president after he finally assented to the bill on Friday at a brief ceremony held at the Council Chamber of the Aso Villa in Abuja.

Nigerians have been calling on the president over the years to sign the bill to strengthen and foster democracy in Nigeria.

The Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2022 will ensure free, fair, credible and transparent elections across the country.

As many hit the internet to search for what the meaning, benefits, advantages and disadvantages of electoral act amendment bill is, Olainfo has got the top 10 clauses in the Electoral Bill 2022 which are highlighted below.

Early Release of Election Funds to INEC

Strengthen the financial independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by ensuring all fundings required for a general election is released not later than one year before the general election. Clause 3

Electronic Transmission of Results

Allows INEC to determine if election results are transmitted electronically or manually. Clause 50

Power to Review Election Results Declared Under Duress

Gives INEC the power to review declarations and results made under questionable circumstances to keep Returning Officers in check. The provision will fundamentally transform the results management process and deter politicians from compelling election officials to declare fabricated election results that can only be challenged in court. Clause 65

Political Neutrality of INEC Personnel

A person who, being a member of a political party, misrepresents himself by not declaring his membership, affiliation or connection to any political party in order to secure an appointment with INEC in any capacity, comits an offence and is liable on conviction, to a fine of ₦5,000,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both. Clause 8 (5)

Legalising Electronic Accreditation of Voters

Makes provision for electronic accreditation of voters using the Smart Card Readers or any technological device as may be determined by INEC. Clause 47

Inclusion of Persons with Disability

Mandates INEC to ensure that persons with disabilities, special needs and vulnerable persons are assisted at the polling place by the provision of suitable means of communication, such as Braille, large embossed print, electronic devices, sign language interpretation, or off-site voting in appropriate cases. Clause 54 (2)

Redefined Overvoting

Overvoting ocurs when the number of votes cast at an election in any polling unit exceed the total number of accredited voters in that polling unit. Therefore, ‘total number of accredited voters’, will become a determining factor in the validity of votes in an election. Clause 51.

Early Conduct of Party Primaries and Submission of List of Candidates

Every political part shall, not later than 180 days (-6 months) prior to election day, submit the list of its candidates, who must emerged from valid primaries conducted by the political party, to INEC. Clause 29 (1)

Early Commencement of Campaigns

Public campaigns by political parties have been extended from 90 days to 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day. Clause 94

Substitution of Candidates in The Event of Death in An Election

Affords political parties the opportunity to conduct primary elections to replace a candidate who dies after the commencement of polls and before the announcement of final results and declaration of a winner. A timeline of 21 days is provided for INEC to conclude an election and declare a winner.

In the case of legislative elections, the election will start afresh, and a political party affected by the bereavement can conduct a new primary within 14 days to nominate a new candidate. However, in the case of presidential and governorship elections, the running mate of the deceased candidate will continue with the election and nominate a running mate. Clause 34

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