28th November, 2018
By Akin Kuponiyi
Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral act amendment bill into law.
In a release signed by Agbakoba, the senior lawyer stated thus: “We are concerned that the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2018 has not been signed into law 3 months into the general election inspite of the fact that it has long been transmitted by the National Assembly.
“The Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2018 is the legal regime for the 2019 election. It is therefore important that every person is familiar with its provisions.
“If you recall, the late signing of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2015 created so much confusion and resulted in widespread electoral malpractices. If you also recall, the late signing resulted in conflicting decisions in the courts, especially on the use of card readers.”
He said the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2018 was passed by the National Assembly to address all the challenges created by the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2015.
Agbakoba said it was therefore important that Buhari signed into law, the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2018.
“This will enable INEC, political parties and the courts discharge their responsibilities effectively,” he said.