The back and forth movements concerning the 2021 Electoral Amendment Bill between the executive and the legislature may scuttle its adoption for 2023 general election the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned
The electoral umpire indicated that it was important to have the law that would guide the elections in place at least 12 to 18 months before the exercise as it operates based on existing legal regime.
The date for the Presidential election has been fixed for February 23, 2023 as announced by the Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, which is about 12 months from now.
The amendment, was necessitated by the compelling need to engender transparency, improve the electoral process and boost the credibility of elections, had generated nationwide debate, especially the need for electronic transmission of results and the contentious direct primary made mandatory for political parties.
How ever there has been the dilly-dallying between the Presidency and the national assembly leadership.
First was the angry reaction by some senators who threatened to override President Buhari’s veto, with some so-called 73 signatures allegedly collated among senators. However the enraged senators were placated as they settled for another consultation with the House of representatives.
This may yet be another episode like that of 2019 playing out when the bill was returned for three consecutive times to the national assembly at the end of which Buhari sighted proximity to election as reason to decline assent then.