Electoral Act amended to allow Statutory delegates vote

Post created on 5:02 pm

Senate has passed an amendment to the Electoral Act of 2022 on Tuesday to allow statutory delegates to participate in political parties’ congresses and conventions.

The current version, which was assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari in February this year, prevents statutory delegates from taking part in party primaries

Statutory delegates include councilors, local government chairmen and their vice, political party chairmen in all the 774 LGAs, state and federal lawmakers, governors and their deputies, president and vice president, political parties’ National Working Committee members, state party chairmen, and secretaries.

After a bill sponsored by the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege at the Red Chamber during their plenary on Tuesday, the clause was considered and amended.

The amendment will allow statutory delegates, in addition to the delegates elected by various political parties, to vote during congresses and conventions to elect candidates for various political offices.

Speaking after the bill was passed, Senate President Ahmad Lawan said the “unintended clause” has to be amended before the commencement of party primaries.

He said the House of Representatives would also be passed the same amendment on Wednesday before transmitting it to the president for assent latest next week.

The speaker said it is imperative to amend so none will be denied his right during political parties’ activities.