Updated: Buhari finally signs Electoral Act Amendment Bill

Finally, President Muhammadu Buhari has commenced the process of signing into law the re-worked Electoral Act Amendment Bill at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The ceremony began a few minutes ago at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, are among those attending the event.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare, tabled the document for signing.

Buhari had initially rejected the bill after the national assembly made direct primary compulsory for political parties in the country, saying the provision “violates the spirit of democracy”.

The Senate and House of Representatives reworked the bill to provide for indirect and direct primary, as well as consensus candidates.

Political Parties are now at liberty to use any of the three aforementioned options to elect their candidates for any election that will be organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Electronic transmission of election results is part of the new provisions in the bill.