Lawan fixes March 2021 for passage of Electoral Bill, seeks prayers from Nigerians

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan has disclosed that the Electoral bill will be passed by March 2021.

Lawan disclosed this at the public hearing organized by the National Assembly joint committee on Electoral Matters on Wednesday.

The bill seeks to repeal the Electoral Act No.6 2010 (as amended) and enact the Independent National Electoral Commission Act.

“We said we will pass the Electoral Amendment Bill before the end of the first quarter of 2021 and we mean it. People may choose to accuse us of any other thing but not on what we do here.

“We remain committed to all the issues we have considered important in our legislative agenda and without anybody holding us responsible, we have achieved most of those things we have set as targets. The Electoral Act amendment is one of those targets we will work to pass,” he said.

Further, the President of the red chamber advised the public that instead of chastising the federal lawmakers; they should pray for and advise them.

Lawan said: “We don’t need you to hold us because if you hold us, you will disrupt us. Pray for us, continue to advise us, engage with us, partner with us and we will achieve those things.

“I have participated in several elections since 1999 and none of them has been the same. I have had different experiences. It means we always have some new emerging problems. What is required of us is to address those problems and make sure every vote must count.

“There is nothing more important to any country than electing its leaders in a very free, transparent and accountable manner. The integrity of the elections makes even the loser to accept the loss without any grudge. Then those in office will enjoy legitimacy and even respect from opposition.”

Lawan reassured Nigerians that Nigeria can conduct a free and fair election with the new act.

“A free fair and credible election in 2023 is doable, we just have to remain focused. When we get something right, please commend and encourage us. Don’t wait until we make mistakes and then you say ‘these people are self-serving’. From my experience both in the House and in the Senate; the National Assembly has never been self-serving,” he said.

In addition, Lawan claimed that federal lawmakers in the 9th Assembly are the most accessible.

“National Assembly is probably one institution where members are extremely conscious of what they do because of their electorate. We are always open, exposed and easily the most-reachable set of elected people.

“We are human beings. In fact, we may take the wrong decisions. But I want to ensure you that we will do whatever it takes to give Nigerians a befitting Electoral Act that will ensure credible and transparent elections even before 2023,” Lawan stated.