Senate passes early voting bill for second reading

A bill for an Act to Amend the Electoral Act No 13,2022, to provide for early voting at elections, including criteria for eligibility, procedure at the elections and for other related matters passed second reading on the floor of the Senate on Thursday.

The bill sponsored by Senator representing Katsina Central, Abdul Azeez Musa Yar’ Adua seeks to address the “disenfranchisement’ of eligible voters who by the nature of their jobs are constrained from exercising their civic duty of casting their ballots during general elections.

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Presenting his lead debate, Senator Yar’adua listed INEC officials, including ad-hoc staff, the security personnel, journalists, observers and others,
who work on election day to uphold the integrity of the process but are effectively denied their right to vote because they are deployed to polling units far from where they registered among the eligible but disenfranchised the proposed amendment would enfranchise.

Citing the last general election, the lawmaker said, “Over 1 million ad-hoc staff, 310,973 police personnel, 93,495 military and Department of State Service (DSS) personnel, 51,000 personnel from the National Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), 21,000 from the Federal Road Safety Corps, 11,336 from the Nigeria Correctional Service, 9,447 from the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency and 350 personnel from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission who were actively engaged in election activities were disenfranchised.

“Similarly, the Independent National Electoral Commission reported that 144,800 observers were deployed by 196 national and domestic organisations, with the implication that those citizens were also unable to vote.

“This is in addition to journalists and others involved in elections in various capacities.”

Senator Yar’adua maintained that “the number of those excluded from voting could change the outcomes of election results.

“Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, the figures highlighted above make this bill a necessity to address the ‘disenfranchisement’ of eligible voters.

“As lawmakers, it is our duty to ensure that every Nigerian citizen, regardless of their profession or duty on election day, has the opportunity to participate fully in the electoral process. Incorporating early voting in our electoral legal framework shall strengthen universal adult suffrage as our Constitution guarantees every eligible Nigerian the right to vote.

“Furthermore, this Bill strengthens democratic values as democracy thrives when participation is broad, inclusive, and representative. By preventing those on election duty from voting, we are limiting the breadth of participation and undermining the very principles of democracy.”

He further cited countries in Africa where early voting has gained traction to include, South Africa, Namibia, Senegal and Ghana.

“INEC has the expertise to incorporate early voting into our electoral process, and the Electoral Act provides sufficient legal mechanisms to address any challenges that may arise.

“Distinguished colleagues, the introduction of early voting is not just about convenience; it is about strengthening our democracy, improving voter participation, reducing electoral violence, and making elections more efficient and transparent. By passing this bill, we will be taking a significant step toward a more inclusive and representative electoral system that better serves the interests of all Nigerians. “