Electoral Act: 42 CSOs reject voice vote legislative consideration

Forty-two Civil Society Organisations, CSOs under the Alliance of Civil Society Organizations for expansion of Electoral and Democratic Space, ACCESS, have asked members of the National Assembly to adopt clause by clause consideration while carrying out legislative action on the report of the joint committees on electoral matters

Speaking to journalists in Abuja ahead of the consideration of the bill by the lawmakers this week, the group said as parliamentary tradition demands globally, constituents, and the people deserve to know how every lawmaker voted during the clause by clause consideration of the bill.

The ACCESS said it recognised that there will be consensus on certain clauses, however, where there is no consensus on a provision or clause, there should be a call for division and a vote be taken.

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The human rights group noted that it is aware of the scheme by a small group of lawmakers to prevail on the leadership of the National Assembly to manipulate the voice voting method during consideration of some clauses and believed that majority may prioritize the interest of Nigerian to pass a bill that will transform the nation’s electoral ecosystem.

The group insisted that it recognised the importance of significant amendments such as the electoral transmission of results have over election results declaration and providing sensitive and reasonable campaign finance limits in the bill.

It, therefore, urged members of the 9th Assembly to seek a profound legacy by giving Nigerians an Electoral Act that will stand the test of time in the future.

Editor: Ena Agbanoma