The Senate has initiated a process to amend the Electoral Act Amendment Bill which President Buhari rejected in December for specifying only direct primaries for political parties.
At a resumed sitting, Senate Leader, Abdullahi Yahaya, prayed that the Senate "rescind its decision on the affected Clause of the bill as passed and recommit same to the Committee of the Whole for consideration."
Noting that the President withheld assent to the bill based on his observation, Yahaya said there's need to address the observation by President Buhari and make necessary amendments in accordance with Order 87(C) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2022 (as amended); and also relying on orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the same Orders. This Order allows the Senate to reconsider the substantive motion for rescission.
The lawmakers subsequently adopted Clause 84 of the bill, which reads "A political party seeking to nominate candidates for elections under this Act shall hold direct or indirect primaries for aspirants to all elective positions, which may be monitored by the Commission."
There was no reaction or contribution from any lawmaker as the senators unanimously adopted the recommendations.
The amended Clause in the bill will be harmonised with the House of Representatives and afterwards, transmitted to the president for assent.
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