The Senate Has Been Urged To Embrace An Open Ballot System For The Selection Of Presiding Officers.

The Citizens Network for Peace and Development in Nigeria (CNPDN), a pro-democracy organization, has urged the Senate to adopt a transparent voting system for the election of the Senate President and Deputy Senate President…CONTINUE READING

During the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in June, the Senate used a secret ballot system to select its presiding officers, while the House of Representatives employed an open ballot system.

Recently, the Senate made amendments to its rules, barring first-time senators from contesting presiding officer roles.

In a statement issued on Friday, Adamu Ibrahim, the North-East Coordinator of the CNPDN, emphasized that an open ballot system would promote democracy.

He praised the Senate’s decision to prevent first-time senators from contesting presiding officer roles, aligning it with global legislative best practices where assembly leaders are typically mentored by experienced members.

The group called on the Nigerian Senate to reconsider its method of electing presiding officers. It pointed out Section 3, Subsection (i), which stipulates that “voting by secret ballot shall be conducted by the clerk-at-table using the list of senators-elect of the Senate, who shall each be given a ballot paper to cast his/her vote.

” The CNPDN urged the Senate to amend this section to make it a rule that presiding officers are elected through an open ballot system, a practice followed by both developed and developing nations to strengthen democracy.

The CNPDN also expressed appreciation for the leadership and members of the 10th Senate for their forward-thinking approach to governance.