The Senate of the United States of America (USA) has identified the delay in signing the Electoral Amendment Bill as one of the major obstacles to the conduct of the 2019 general elections and has urged the Federal Government to finalise it before the elections.

It made the resolution following a motion moved by Senator Bob Menendez, a Democratic senator representing New Jersey and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

While asking the Federal Government to respect the impartiality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the lawmakers also called on the Federal Government to take necessary steps to facilitate elections that are credible, transparent, and peaceful.

The U. S. Senate said steps would include providing adequate funding, sensitising the voters, and take necessary actions to punish electoral offenders through the establishment of the Electoral Offences Commission and Tribunal.

The senators also raised concerns over the recently concluded governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun where, it said, security agencies displayed partisanship.

“During the Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial elections in July 2018 and September 2018, respectively, there were concerning incidents in which some elements of Nigeria’s security agencies displayed partisanship and a lack of objectivity, which risks escalating tensions within the country.”

While reaffirming the support of the United States towards ensuring a peaceful, electioneering process in the country, the U.S. Senate said that collaboration between civil society organisations “was a key factor that contributed to successful elections in 2015”.

While moving the motion, Menendez said, “I am introducing this resolution to send a signal that the U.S. Senate is carefully watching the conduct of all actors leading up to the February 2019 elections.

“Nigeria’s last elections in 2015 resulted in the country’s first peaceful transfer of power between political parties, and have rightfully created high expectations among the Nigerian electorate for further improvements.

“I encourage all those participating in the contest to do their part to ensure that the February elections are peaceful, credible, and meet Nigerian, African, and international standards for the conduct of democratic elections.

“A credible outcome to next year’s elections will pave the way to closer ties between the United States and Nigeria for years to come, strengthening continued, economic, development and security cooperation.”

Part of the resolutions by the Senate reads: “Whereas the statement of the September 2018 Joint National Democratic Institute/International Republican Institute Pre-Election Assessment Mission to Nigeria cited remaining challenges and concerns such as delays in finalising the legal framework, delayed release of funds for the elections, security threats in the Middle Belt and North East, instances of vote buying and incitement to violence and disinformation.

“Move expeditiously to finalise the proposed reforms to the legal framework for elections and to ensure the disbursement of funds for the elections.

“Whereas Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has improved the voting process, notably through the introduction of Continuous Voters Registration, the adoption of simultaneous accreditation and voting, improvements to the secrecy of the ballot and the advancement of smart card reader technology.”

The Senate also said it “condemns in the strongest terms the use of hate speech and incitement to violence” and urged “refrain from any rhetoric or action that seeks to demonise or delegitimise opponents, sow division among Nigerians, or otherwise inflame tensions”.

https://www.independent.ng/2019-election-u-s-senate-urges-fg-to-finalise-electoral-amendment-bill/amp/

The self aclaimed champion of democracy will still reject this call do to self.

"The Senate of the United States of America (USA) has identified the delay in signing the Electoral Amendment Bill as one of the major obstacles to the conduct of the 2019 general elections and has urged the Federal Government to finalise it before the elections..."

Guess the president is listening?

“During the Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial elections in July 2018 and September 2018, respectively, there were concerning incidents in which some elements of Nigeria’s security agencies displayed partisanship and a lack of objectivity, which risks escalating tensions within the country.”

Meanwhile these are elections the APC & INEC have repeatedly beat its chest as credible achievement.

“Whereas the statement of the September 2018 Joint National Democratic Institute/International Republican Institute Pre-Election Assessment Mission to Nigeria cited remaining challenges and concerns such as delays in finalising the legal framework, delayed release of funds for the elections, security threats in the Middle Belt and North East, instances of vote buying and incitement to violence and disinformation.

Jokers, the man simply read out a speech prepared for him by Saraki.

Ekiti ko, Osun ni.

Saraki and PDP are drowning objects..now dragging the country along with them.

President Buhari will not Sign the amended act.

I will advise the PDP to boycott the election.

Its good to know the US is willing to help do away with this Indi Ami like they did with his friend Abacha. That man should watch his back, if he thinks he will forcefully reelect his Lifeless azz, he sure is in for a rude awakening.

Trump should sign it now.
So the conduct and result of 2015 election is peaceful and acceptable to him, which electoral act was used then?

Lol this pdp desperation no be here. So saraki go dey lobby us senate to force buhari to sign electoral act
Una dey craze make una come sign am now if pdp like let them go and lobby donald trump, erdogan, queen elizabeth buhari aint signing anything. Nigeria is a sovereign country.

Baba will never sign it and nothing you guys will do about it I mean nothing absolutely nothing

The present Trump government doesn't have any regard for Buhari. The international community generally
make joke of the Buhari always.??

US Senate passes resolution on Nigeria's forthcoming election?

What manner of fat lie is this?

Seun, Mynd44, lalasticlala, I have come to see this news source is nothing but a mirror image of those PDP propaganda sources we had in 2015 such as breaking times, trentonline, hopefornigeria.com and such others. The site is even still being worked on. 99% of their stories are anti Buhari and APC, pro Ugwuanyi (they don't seem to report about any other governor).

Be wary of news coming from this source. For confirmation, visit the site yourselves.

A news as significant as this being given here can't be coming from such incredible source alone. This relks you it is likely a figment of the writer's imagination.

Corrinthians:
US Senate passes resolution on Nigeria's forthcoming election?

What manner of fat lie is this?

Seun, Mynd44, lalasticlala, I have come to see this news source is nothing but a mirror image of those PDP propaganda sources we had in 2015 such as breaking times, trentonline, hopefornigeria.com and such others. The site is even still being worked on. 99% of their stories are anti Buhari and APC, pro Ugwuanyi (they don't seem to report about any other governor).

Be wary of news coming from this source. For confirmation, visit the site yourselves.

A news as significant as this being given here can't be coming from such incredible source alone. This relks you it is likely a figment of the writer's imagination.

Daily Independent newspaper is a credible and widely read newspaper in Nigeria. Its funny how you claim the site is been worked on all because you didn't expect this news from the U.S. Abeg remove that cog in your eye to see very well.

waiting for zombies to come call US senate Ipob

Corrinthians:
US Senate passes resolution on Nigeria's forthcoming election?

What manner of fat lie is this?

Seun, Mynd44, lalasticlala, I have come to see this news source is nothing but a mirror image of those PDP propaganda sources we had in 2015 such as breaking times, trentonline, hopefornigeria.com and such others. The site is even still being worked on. 99% of their stories are anti Buhari and APC, pro Ugwuanyi (they don't seem to report about any other governor).

Be wary of news coming from this source. For confirmation, visit the site yourselves.

A news as significant as this being given here can't be coming from such incredible source alone. This relks you it is likely a figment of the writer's imagination.

Why are calling out Seun, Mynd44, lalasticlala or is it because the news didn't go the way you envisaged.
Does this newspaper look like a fake news site to you?

CilicMarin:
Jokers, the man simply read out a speech prepared for him by Saraki.

Ekiti ko, Osun ni.

Saraki and PDP are drowning objects..now dragging the country along with them.

President Buhari will not Sign the amended act.

I will advise the PDP to be boycott the election.

Whether PMB signs the electoral amendment act or not, there'll be mass rigging by both APC and PDP. The question now is who will have the ability to rig more and take the day?

Sorry to break your heart that PDP will not boycott any election and might even take the day.