Upper Chamber Too Gets Electoral ActElectoral Act Report; Senate President Bashes Charges Of Tampering

July 14, (THEWILL) – The Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has submitted its report on a Bill to amend the Electoral Act.

The report of the Committee was submitted to the Upper Chamber at plenary by Senator Kabiru Gaya (APC, Kano South).

It is expected to be listed for consideration and eventual approval by the Senate on the next legislative day.

This is even as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Sadiq Umar (APC, Kwara North), confirmed that the report will be scheduled on the Senate’s order paper for consideration on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, has berated people and groups, who engaged in blackmailing the National Assembly by accusing its leadership of tampering with the provisions of the Electoral Bill.

He said: “On the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, there are various accusations, insinuations that the leadership of the Senate, some time, the leadership of the National Assembly had tampered with the report of the committee on INEC of both chambers.

“Some of those accusing the leadership of the National Assembly were misinformed –innocent; some are simply mischievous and rabble rousers.

“This is the first time the report is laid here and this is the report of the committee.

“This is the decision of the committee on INEC and, therefore, whatever would be discussed or considered about the Bill will be on the basis of what has been presented to the committee here.

“If anybody feels strongly about anything, he or she should meet the senators to canvass for their positions rather than blackmailing our leadership.

“This is because my telephone lines and that of the Speaker were published; and in one day, I received over 900 text messages saying that we have manipulated the report whereas we did not.

“We will do what is right. We have our procedures and lobbying is part of democracy.”

Lawan, had on Tuesday, assured that the leadership of the National Assembly will not tamper with the report of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.