NewStats: 3,264,411 , 8,183,648 topics. Date: Tuesday, 10 June 2025 at 11:40 PM 2s67p

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 ed 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.

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 ed 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.

[b]“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 ing 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.“

https://tribuneonlineng.com/senate-es-early-voting-bill-for-second-reading/

People will this istration for a lot of landmarks. Good one to Akpabio's senate.

Something that is already a norm in a particular region.

This is a nice move only if politicians won't take advantage of it. We need a free, fair and transparent election in Nigeria before this country can move forward.

When are they going to bill for the execution or jail of corrupt officers. They are only after what will benefit themselves. No law guiding the activities of corrupt politicians. If the system work, someone like Wike will not be fighting to reclaim the political terrain of Rivers state.

Hope politicians won't capitalize on it

Like perfect their rigging before general voters turns up, if you ask where the number comes from they'll simply say early voters who voted while you were asleep

Ruse at its best

This is great. We must find ways to adapt modern technology to achieve a free and fair election in Nigeria. Elections should never be snatched, grabbed and ran away with. We can have systems that monitor and display results In real time. The winner is declared at least 4 hours after voting ends

zero8zero:
People will this istration for a lot of landmarks. Good one to Akpabio's senate.

Mention one landmark and shame the doubters

Early rigging bill. Imagine the armed men voted Party A and then some bloody civillians are voting Party B.

Is okay

Please who can help? I'm seeking information on the post-civil war experiences of Igbos who returned to Lagos. Specifically, what was their situation regarding reintegration into the civil service and the status of the properties they had left behind?

While the votes of the ones that waited are yet to count...

My own is, these old men should be flush out

Sweet

Okay

zero8zero:
People will this istration for a lot of landmarks. Good one to Akpabio's senate.

landmark bills bro.

I am happy.

Especially the tax reforms.
It’s a thing of pride.

How I wish governors will work around bringing more industrializations

Mopolchi:
Mention one landmark and shame the doubters

Leave your cave and come out and live among humans.

Good Job. Wishing you success

Alfred had a reputation as a learned and merciful man of a gracious and level-headed nature who encouraged education, proposing that primary education be conducted in English rather than Latin, and improving the legal system and military structure and his people's quality of life. He was given the epithet "the Great" from as early as the 13th century, though it was only popularised from the 16th century. Alfred is the only native-born English monarch to be labelled as such.

OnyeObowo1:
My own is, these old men should be flush out

What's your definition of old men?

Being old begins from what age?

Zico5:
When are they going to bill for the execution or jail of corrupt officers. They are only after what will benefit themselves. No law guiding the activities of corrupt politicians. If the system work, someone like Wike will not be fighting to reclaim the political terrain of Rivers state.

Oga even armed robbers and drug pushers have you seen any executions in a civilian regime in Nigeria? Governors are always afraid to sign death warrants so no point asking for the impossible.

As for jail they already exist. But you can o Lu convict a man if you have evidence. Many of these people loot in such a way it can’t be traced to them. Plus all of them have skeletons, including our saint from Anambra. You expose one they bring out your own file.

Can anyone summarise the details?

This is not the problem of our election. Lets stop chasing shadows. Make una allow for irev to work

OK

zero8zero:
People will this istration for a lot of landmarks. Good one to Akpabio's senate.

Which landmark? Early voting that doesn't translate in the declared results? We don't need early voting we need electronic transfer of votes from the pooling unit in real time to curb rigging that's all but they won't because it will help chase them away from power and make Nigerians decide instead of these thieves in government. You sound as if you are unaware because you are a psychophant

And you think Tinubu became a president to loose like GEJ?