Bill for single-day general elections scales second reading in Reps

The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to allow presidential, governorship, National Assembly, state assembly, and local government elections to be held on the same day.

Sponsored by Imo lawmaker Ikenga Ugochinyere and 35 others, the bill was presented during plenary by House Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.

A copy of the bill obtained by The PUNCH shows that it proposes an amendment to Section 116 of the Constitution by inserting a new subsection (3), which states that:

“All elections into the offices of President, Governors, National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly, and Local Government Area Councils shall hold simultaneously on the same date to be determined by the Independent National Electoral Commission in consultation with the National Assembly and in accordance with the Electoral Act.”

A similar amendment is proposed for Section 132, adding a new paragraph (a) to subsection (1), reinforcing the requirement for all elections to be conducted simultaneously.

When put to a voice vote by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, lawmakers overwhelmingly backed the bill. It was subsequently referred to the House Committee on Constitution Review for further legislative consideration.

Dirisu Yakubu

Dirisu, has over 12 years experience covering political parties, National Assembly, sports, transportation, etc, and currently works with The PUNCH

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