2011 poll: Senate dumps Jonathan’s electoral bill

The Senate on Wednesday rejected a bill by President Goodluck Jonathan for fresh amendments to the 2010 Electoral Act.

Two key provisions in the bill are those seeking to empower the Independent National Electoral Commission to fix the sequence of elections, and for political parties to have a free hand to include presidential and governors’ aides as delegates at their conventions or primaries.

The bill had earlier sailed through its first reading in the Senate but when its second reading and debate kicked off at the Senate’s plenary on Wednesday, members, in a near combative mood, shot it down.

The leadership of the Senate had pleaded that “the baby should not be thrown away with the bathwater,” but the Senators insisted that the bill sent to them by President Goodluck Jonathan would not be passed because it was ladden with “toxic provisions.”

Reacting to the development, the Jonathan/ Sambo Campaign Organisation, said, “We will continue to engage the Senate in this matter as we believe our proposals will lead to a smoother electoral process.”

The Leader of the Senate, Mr. Teslim Folarin, who the lead debate, had earlier called the attention of his colleagues to the relevant provisions of the bill.

Punch Newspaper

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