News
Reps Approve Electoral Act Amendments, Slam Vote Buying with Jail Term, N5m Fine
Reps Approve Electoral Act Amendments, Slam Vote Buying with Jail Term, N5m Fine
The House of Representatives has approved significant amendments to the Electoral Act, introducing tougher sanctions for vote buying and selling, alongside provisions for technology-driven voting and improved election transparency.
Under the amended Clause 22 (a and c), individuals involved in buying or selling votes and voter cards now face a minimum of two years’ imprisonment or a N5 million fine, or both, and a 10-year ban from contesting elections, a major increase from previous penalties capped at N500,000 or two years’ imprisonment.
To enhance electoral integrity, the House also amended Section 60(3) of the Electoral Act, mandating the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to electronically transmit results in real time from polling units to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV), alongside physical collation. The provision ensures electronic transmission occurs simultaneously with physical collation, strengthening safeguards against result manipulation.
Presiding officers who breach procedures for counting, announcing, or transmitting polling unit results now face a minimum fine of N500,000 or six months’ imprisonment, or both, under the new Section 60(6).
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- Reps Approve Electoral Act Amendments, Slam Vote Buying with Jail Term, N5m Fine
Lawmakers also approved the release of election funds to INEC at least one year before general elections, and increased penalties for multiple voter registration, with offenders now liable to a minimum fine of N100,000 or one year’s imprisonment, or both.
The amendments extend the deadline for political parties to submit their list of candidates to INEC from 180 to 210 days before elections, allowing additional time for processing. The House also sanctioned the use of electronically generated voter identification, including downloadable voter cards with unique QR codes, for voter accreditation and voting.
Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Adebayo Balongun, briefed journalists, explaining that the House had shelved plans to repeal the Electoral Act 2022, opting instead for targeted reforms after broader proposals—including early voting, inmate voting, and replacing the Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) with tech-driven mechanisms—failed to gain sufficient consensus.
“The far-reaching proposals did not command majority support across both Chambers of the National Assembly nor among key stakeholders consulted during the legislative process,” Balongun said.
Consideration of the remaining clauses of the Electoral Act amendment bill 2025 is ongoing, as the House moves to consolidate reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, curbing electoral fraud, and modernising Nigeria’s voting system.
Reps Approve Electoral Act Amendments, Slam Vote Buying with Jail Term, N5m Fine
Community
Monarch Dies Shortly After Being Rescued From Kwara Kidnappers
The Onigbesi of Igbesi Land in Kwara State, Oba Moses Oyinloye Iwedunmoye I, has died days after he was rescued from kidnappers.
The monarch passed away in the early hours of Saturday at a hospital, according to his son, Prince Olasunkanmi, who said his father had been receiving treatment following a brief illness.
“Yes, the news is true. He died after a brief illness following his release. We took him to the hospital, hoping he would survive, but he died there very early this morning,” Olasunkanmi said.
Oba Iwedunmoye was abducted on August 22 when armed men invaded Igbesi community in Isin Local Government Area.
He regained his freedom five days later after security forces launched an operation around the Elerin/Ijomu-Oro area, where three kidnapped victims were found.
The rescue followed a report received at the Oro Police Station from a vigilante member, who alerted authorities after one of his colleagues was shot while operating in the bush.
A combined team of police officers, soldiers and vigilantes was subsequently deployed to the area.
Police said the suspected kidnappers engaged the team in a gun battle after spotting the advancing operatives. One alleged kidnapper was killed during the exchange, while others escaped into the surrounding area.
The security team continued the search and eventually located the three victims, who were evacuated for medical treatment.
News of the monarch’s death was announced by Bisi Fakayode, National President of Omo Ibile Igbomina, who mourned the traditional ruler and prayed for the repose of his soul.
The circumstances surrounding the monarch’s illness and death have not been publicly disclosed beyond his family’s account that he fell ill after his release.
News
Police Arrest Woman Over Alleged Drug Trafficking in Delta
Police Arrest Woman Over Alleged Drug Trafficking in Delta
A 40-year-old woman, Joy Anthony, has been arrested by the Delta State Police Command over alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.
Police said operatives attached to the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit carried out the arrest in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, following intelligence received about suspected drug-related activities.
According to the command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, officers subsequently obtained and executed a search warrant at Anthony’s residence in Agbor-Obi.
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The search reportedly resulted in the recovery of several suspected illicit substances, including tramadol, codeine, swinol, Canadian loud and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.
The suspect and the recovered exhibits have been taken into police custody as investigators continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence.
Edafe said Anthony would be prosecuted after the investigation is completed.
Police have not disclosed the exact quantities of the substances recovered.
Police Arrest Woman Over Alleged Drug Trafficking in Delta
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