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Electoral Bill : CSOs urges National Assembly Harmonisation Committee to prioritise country’s interest

Expectations are high as the National Assembly get set to harmonise the Electoral Bill.

The Senate last week constituted a Conference Committee for the 2021 Electoral Act Amendment Bill passed by both Chambers of the National Assembly.

Addressing Journalists ahead of the harmonisation conference by both Chambers on Monday in Abuja, the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room called for diligent process that will endure personal, partisan and primordial considerations.
Convener of Situation Room/Country Director, Action Aid Nigeria, Ene Obi said civil society organizations have identified 17 points of divergence in the versions of the Election Act Amendment Bill.
“The landmark proposals in the ongoing review process, civil society partners and key stakeholders have identified about 17 points of divergence in the versions of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives. Amongst which are: the use of Smart Card Readers; the deployment of electronic voting, collation and transmission of results; the cost of campaigns and the process of nomination of candidates etc”.
On electronic transmission of results, Ene expressed concern about differences in the proposals.
“As civil society community and as expressed by a vast majority of electoral stakeholders and Nigerians, we are concerned by these identified differences in the proposals particularly regarding electronic transmission of results and the deployment of technological devices in the conduct of elections.
“Following from our experience and observations of elections in recent years, as well as widely held views of Nigerians, we expect the harmonisation committee to accept the version of the Electoral Bill that allows the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to determine the mode of conduct of elections, including transmission of results.
“INEC has shown by its practice and experience that it has adequate capacity to use technology in elections including the transmission of results. This experience has been proven during several off-cycle elections in recent years. Indeed, INEC has expanded its use of technology, including using the Z-pad and now, its newest innovation, the Bi-modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS)”, She noted.
The group also expressed dissatisfaction in the version of the bill that stipulates the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) recommendation and National Assembly approval before election results can be transmitted electronically. She said the idea presents a constitutional breach that may result in long-drawn litigations and uncertainty which could put INEC’s preparations for elections in jeopardy.
Nigeria CSO Situation Room however made the following recommendations:
– Adopt the Senate version of Clause 43, which recognizes “voting devices” alongside election materials. This is because the Senate inserted the words “and voting devices” immediately after election materials.
– Adopt the Senate version of Clause 49, which recognizes “other technological devices” alongside “Smart Card Readers” for voter accreditation. INEC should be given the power to deploy an effective and efficient technological device for accrediting voters during elections. For example, INEC tested the new Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) during the Isoko South 1 Constituency bye-election into Delta State House of Assembly and plans to deploy same in subsequent elections.
– Adopt the House of Representatives Version of Clause 52, which gives INEC the power to determine the procedure for voting and transmission of election results. The power to determine the procedure for transmission of results should be vested with INEC without interference from any individual or government agency. This position safeguards INEC’s independence.
– Adopt the Senate Version of Clauses 63 and 76 which increases the penalty for sanctioning a presiding officer who contravenes the Electoral Act concerning the proper counting of accounting for votes and the announcement of results. We believe that sanctions should place high retributive demand (financial or otherwise) on the offender, in order to discourage electoral offences.
– Adopt the Senate version of clause 87, which gives political parties the option to adopt either direct or indirect primaries. The focus should be on strict adherence to the guidelines for each mode of party primary adopted.
Nigeria CSO Situation Room however assured that it will follow up with the Harmonization Committee’s work.
They urged members of the harmonisation commitiee to strive to ensure the country’s interest is prioritized while carrying out this assignment.

News
Governor Alia distances self from protest against Benue CJ

As protest rocks Benue State against the Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpembese for relocating the Benue Local Government Election Petitions Tribunal from Makurdi to Abuja, Governor Hyacinth Alia has distanced himself from the protest.

Protesters in their hundreds from Benue State took to the streets of Abuja on Monday, for a peaceful protest from the National Assembly to the Supreme Court to express their outrage over the Benue CJ’s decision.

Prior to Monday’s massive protest Justice Ikpembese raised security concerns and moved the Tribunal to Abuja, a development that triggered protest as they are saying the Tribunal would have remained in Makurdi for them to monitor proceedings.
The tribunal is currently handling disputes arising from the Benue State Local Government elections conducted on October 5, 2024.
Reports indicate that 93 petitioners, including aggrieved candidates from both the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, have filed cases at the tribunal since October 17, 2024.
The Benue State Government, through the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Mr. Fidelis Mnyim, had questioned the CJ’s unilateral decision, noting that neither the governor nor his office had been formally notified.

News
Shehu Sani debunks Governor Uba Sani’s alleged diversion of LG funds, challenges El-Rufai to publicly tender evidence

Civil Rights Activist and former Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani has debunked the former Governor, Malamn Nasir El-Rufai’s allegation that Governor Uba Sani has diverted the Local Government Councils allocation to buy properties abroad.

Shehu Sani said El-Rufai’s allegation is “falsely crafted to smear the name of of the Governor because of the N420 billion investigation hanging on him like the sword of damocles.”

Reacting to the allegation on Monday, Shehu Sani challenged the former Governor to release proofs of purchases of properties in South Africa, Seychelles and London by Uba Sani publicly.
He said, Kaduna people would not forget in a hurry how Nasir El-Rufai plundered the State in eight years as Governor of the State, stressing that he should stop pushing falsehood into the public space.
He said: “As Kaduna indigenes, we are all living witnesses to how El-Rufai plundered the State and now investigation has indicted him and he should face it rather than pushing falsehood into the public domain.
El-Rufai should be bold enough to show proofs linking governor Uba Sani in the purchase of properties in South Africa, Seychelles and London, then we will take him serious.
“But he should be ready answer for the whereabouts of N420 billion because that money is substantial enough to develop Kaduna State to an extent”, Shehu Sani maintained.

News
Bill to establish National Cashew Production and Research Institute in Kogi passes first reading in Senate

The Nigerian Senate has passed for first reading a Bill to establish the National Cashew Production and Research Institute to be sited at Idah in Kogi East Senatorial District after it was laid on Wednesday last week.

The Bill which was sponsored by Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho representing Kogi East Senatorial District said, the propsed research institute will be situated at Idah, headquarters of Igala kingdom and the institute will be charged with the responsibilities of cashew research, processing and boosting production for local and export consumption.

According to the documents of the proposed bill made available on Monday, it pointed out that the Federal Government could leverage on the abundant cashew production in Kogi East and by extension Kogi State and other parts of the country to ensure that the quality of cashew is processed in line with the global standards, notwithstanding that the current quality of cashew from Kogi State is sought all over the world.
He said the legal framework of the Research Institute will identify the value chain and processing, ensuring that at each level, there is job creation for the teaming youths and not just for the raw nuts to be exported, stating that the current handling of cashew nuts was unacceptable as it tended to bypass the needed revenue that would been generated into government coffers.
Senator Isah said: “This will not only improve the quality of cashew products but also provide support to farmers and cashew business owners in Kogi State, particularly in Kogi East, which is known for its high cashew production.
“The institute will also attract investment, create jobs, and ensure better pricing for cashew farmers, thereby strengthening the local economy in Kogi East, Kogi State and Nigeria at large.”
DAILY POST recalled that a fortnight ago, Kogi State government was urged by the State House of Assembly to safeguard cashew and other economic trees in the State by putting in place stringent measures against abuse.
The regulatory measures which the State parliament said will be put in place, urged the State government to enforce the laws with serious sanction for any erring persons and to also stop foreigners from accessing cashew farms in the State.
The resolution was the outcome of a motion sponsored by Hon. Oluwaseyi Bello representing Kabba Bunu State Constituency in the House of Assembly, adding that the State Ministry of Agriculture should properly monitor and regulate the activities of exploitative foreign businessmen in the interest of revenue for the State and security of the people.
Kogi continues to be the leading State in cashew production in Nigeria which the State government attributed to robust and sound agricultural policies.
The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo once said: “Kogi State is the biggest producer of cashew in Nigeria because of our sound agricultural policies geared towards empowering farmers with improved seedlings, mechanization, agrochemicals as well as creating an enabling environment for the private sector to invest in cashew production.”

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