Buhari signs new electoral act
You're referring to the recent development in Nigeria!
Yes, on February 25, 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law, making significant changes to the country's electoral process. The new law aims to improve the transparency, credibility, and efficiency of elections in Nigeria.
Some key provisions of the new Electoral Act include:
- Electronic Transmission of Results: The law allows for the electronic transmission of election results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters, reducing the risk of manipulation and increasing transparency.
- Direct Primaries: Political parties are now required to hold direct primaries to select their candidates, giving party members more say in the selection process.
- Increased Representation: The law increases the representation of women, youth, and people with disabilities in the electoral process, including in the composition of INEC's governing board.
- Improved Voter Registration: The law introduces a new voter registration process, which includes the use of technology to verify the identity of registrants and prevent multiple registrations.
- Enhanced Security: The law provides for the deployment of security personnel to polling stations and the use of technology to monitor the electoral process.
- Increased Penalties: The law introduces stricter penalties for electoral offenses, including fines and imprisonment for violators.
The signing of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill is seen as a significant step towards improving the credibility and integrity of Nigeria's electoral process. However, some stakeholders have expressed concerns about the implementation of the new law, particularly with regards to the electronic transmission of results and the direct primaries process.