JUST IN: Reps Move To Finalise Electoral Act Amendment, Set Up Conference Committee

The House of Representatives has set up a bipartisan conference committee to reconcile differences between the versions of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill passed by the two chambers of the National Assembly.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Thursday morning by the House spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, and reported by Daily Trust. According to Rotimi, the decision followed an internal memo from the Clerk of the House, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, acting on the directive of the Green Chamber’s leadership.

The committee is chaired by the Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Rep. Adebayo Balogun. Other members include Reps. Fred Agbedi, Sada Soli, Ahmadu Jaha, Iduma Igariwey Enwo, Saidu Musa Abdullahi, and Dr. Zainab Gimba.

The panel has been mandated to work with a corresponding Senate committee to resolve discrepancies in the provisions of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill. The goal is to produce a unified version of the legislation for final consideration and passage by the National Assembly.

“The conference committee is mandated to engage with its Senate counterpart to harmonise the differing provisions in the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, with a view to producing a consolidated version for final passage,” the statement said.

The House of Representatives reaffirmed its commitment to electoral reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, credibility, and public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process. Lawmakers said the move reflects the National Assembly’s determination to strengthen the legal framework governing elections in the country.

Naija News reports that the Senate had earlier constituted its own conference committee to collaborate with the House on the harmonisation process. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced on Wednesday that Senator Simon Bako Lalong would chair the Senate committee.

Other members of the Senate panel include Senators Niyi Adegbonmire, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Adamu Aliero, Orji Uzor Kalu, Abba Moro, Asuquo Ekpenyong, Aminu Abbas, and Tokunbo Abiru.

The joint efforts of both chambers are expected to speed up the legislative process and lead to the adoption of a harmonised Electoral Act amendment that reflects the consensus of the National Assembly.

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