… passes bill for second reading
The Nigerian House of Representatives on Tuesday advanced a bill aimed at amending the 1999 Constitution, proposing that all elections for the Offices of the President, Governors, National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly, and Local Government Area Councils be held on the same date. This unified election date would be set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in consultation with the National Assembly.
The bill, introduced by Imo lawmaker Ikenga Ugochinyere and co-sponsored by 35 other members, was presented for a second reading during Tuesday’s plenary session, led by House Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere.
According to the bill, Section 116 of the Constitution would be amended to include a new subsection (3), which mandates that elections for the offices of the President, Governors, National Assembly, State Assemblies, and Local Government Councils all take place on the same date. The date would be determined by INEC in coordination with the National Assembly, in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Similarly, Section 132 would be modified to insert a new paragraph (a) in subsection (1), stipulating that elections for the President, Governors, National Assembly, State Assemblies, and Local Government Councils be held on a unified date as determined by INEC, after consultation with the National Assembly.
Following a voice vote led by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, the bill received overwhelming support from the lawmakers. It was then sent to the House Committee on Constitution Review for further consideration.
