…may partner CSOs for new laws
The House of Representatives committee on electoral matters has recommended the repeal and re-enactment of a brand new electoral act which will come up by November 2020.
According to the committee, the new law will bar non degree holders and former INEC staff members from contesting presidential and other elections in 2023.
A member of the committee in the national Assembly Hon. Kpam Jimin Sokpo (PDP Benue) said that “the House will also repeal and do a total overhaul of the piece of legislation. In his words “we are trying to compare in the INEC’s proposed provisions, those of the senate and existing Act. What we are doing right now is to look at different positions (for a new law) and harmonize it. We are doing that with CSOs (Civil Society Organizations). According to him, the issue of banning or disqualifying ex INEC officials from participating in partisan politics for at least (5) years was also submitted by Hon. Tasir Raji through a Bill titled “A Bill for an Act to amend the electoral to prohibit electoral officers from engaging in partisan politics within 5 years of retirement.
Another bill sponsored by Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha also seek parties to raise the academic qualification for presidential candidates of independent political assembly both chambers of the nation will lay their reports in September when the national Assembly resumes in September.
