Direct primary in Electoral Act: Pain or panacea?

At what point the compulsory direct primary mode of candidate selection by political parties find its way into the Electoral Act Amendment Bill already passed by the two chambers of the National AssemblyReps Move To Prevent Presidential Breach

On June 9, 2015, when the Eighth National Assembly was proclaimed, members-elect from the governing All Progressives Congress were summoned to a caucus meeting at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. Civil society groups joined the fray, just as Nigerians insisted on having electronic transmission of proceeds of the ballot entrenched in the Electoral Act so as to strengthen the fidelity of the country’s electoral system.

He asked: “Do most of the parties have valid and verified membership registers and other logistics needed for the successful conduct of direct primaries? The direct primaries option will also put pressure on Independent National Electoral Commission , whose officials must monitor all the primaries.” He said: “The two options on the table are to make direct primaries compulsory for all the parties, or to leave it open for parties to decide. We should take the latter option. Let us leave each party to decide how it wants to source its candidates.

Various stakeholders, commentators and interest groups, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, have argued in favour of presidential assent. Conversely, as the two forces for and against the signing of the Electoral Act amendment bill take their pressure on President Buhari, a lot now depend on the sentiments of power players outside the National Assembly. And, perhaps, knowing how technical and intricate the issues surrounding the bill is, President Buhari decided to seek the input of INEC. However, many have questioned whether the president is trying to behave like Pontius Pilate bypassing that buck to the electoral umpire.

Last Thursday, the lower chamber of the National Assembly resolved to invite the INEC chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, in a bid to ensure that the electoral umpire does not endanger the amendment bill.

Isokey

Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Reps to invite INEC Chairman over cost of direct primaries'Some people say it will cost N500 billion. This is mere speculation because the cost of direct primaries may be within the budget of INEC.'
Source: PremiumTimesng - 🏆 3. / 78 Read more »

11 Nigerian senators visit Osoba in LondonMr Osoba, who is recovering after a surgery, calls on President Buhari to sign the Electoral Bill that prescribes direct primaries for political parties. Can't that visit be done online
Source: PremiumTimesng - 🏆 3. / 78 Read more »

Reps to invite INEC Chairman over cost of direct primaries'Some people say it will cost N500 billion. This is mere speculation because the cost of direct primaries may be within the budget of INEC.'
Source: PremiumTimesng - 🏆 3. / 78 Read more »

How MTN Wrongly Interpreted Nigerian Communications Act To Block Peoples Gazette Website As Directed By Buhari Regime | Sahara ReportersWhat MTN Nigeria Communications Plc relied on to block its subscribers from accessing the Peoples Gazette website is in Section 146 of the Act. MTNNG E remain you🙄 useless media outlet
Source: SaharaReporters - 🏆 9. / 63 Read more »

One week after, primary school teachers in FCT call off strikeThe development, PREMIUM TIMES learnt, was taken at the end of an emergency meeting of the State Wing Executive Council (SWEC)
Source: PremiumTimesng - 🏆 3. / 78 Read more »

Why Buhari should 'quickly' approve 2021 Electoral Bill - CSOsThe bill was transmitted to the president about two weeks ago by the National Assembly.
Source: PremiumTimesng - 🏆 3. / 78 Read more »