Civil Society Group Calls For Urgent Review Of Nigerian Electoral Laws

File photo of voters waiting on a queue to cast their vote

Situation Room, a platform of civil society organsiation working on elections has called for an urgent review of Nigerian electoral laws.

This formed the subject of discussion during a National Stakeholder’s Forum on Elections organised by Situation Room in Abuja, on Monday.

The group blamed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for not speaking up when it was obvious aspects of the conduct of the Kogi and Bayelsa state elections were compromised leading to the sort of violence in the state.

Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo Agege speaking at the event said the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill will to reduce the number of existing political parties for better electoral management.

He added that the ninth Assembly is committed to creating a robust electoral framework.

Juliet Ibekaku Nwagwu, representative of the Attorney General Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami at the event said the government is working to ensure a quick passage of the amendment of the electoral act and they are working with the National Assembly to make that happen.

She added they are also working to ensure passage of an electoral offenses commission law.

INEC National Commissioner, Festus Okoye in his address said e-collation and transmission of results are possible and achievable in the 2023 elections.

He added that the electoral body will consider improving the electoral process through technology but will test the suitability of any technology to be adopted.

Okoye concluded that it will work with the National Assembly on electoral Reforms and INEC will have to study all sundry issues on cyber security, level of literacy, internet penetration, and others before going into electronic voting.