2023 election: After fifth rejection, CSOs, students demand assent electoral bill

TECHNOCRAT MEDIA, Abuja

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the electoral amendment bill without further delay.

Gathered at the Unity Fountain on Tuesday, the group said the time has come for the president to sign the bill without delay as the 2023 general election is barely one year.

This they said would allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to properly plan and prepare for free, credible, and fair elections come 2023.

Speaking, the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo said the electoral bill 2022 would be an opportunity to improve the electoral process in the 2023 general elections and bring about sustainable electoral reform practice.

The convener of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (NCSSR), Ene Obi said the group is calling on the president to sign the bill after rejecting it five times.

“What we are asking the president to do is to sign the bill. He has rejected this bill five times. This is the sixth time, we want him to sign now.”

“We are calling on him as the father of the nation to sign the bill. I want you to know that we are hearing to defend and uphold the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria,”

“The constitution is not just one person’s responsibility. If he doesn’t sign, we will call on the members of the national assembly to override his veto.”, Ms Obi said.

She added that President Buhari made a promise to Nigerians on national television. “A promise is a promise. We are happy that Femi Adesina has said this morning that the president is going to sign in hours,”

“We are not here to claim the glory. We are here so that the labour of our heroes’ past will not be in vain. So, Mr President, sign the bill now.” the NCSSR convener added.

Executive Director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Rafsanjani said Nigerians are tired of electoral frauds and manipulations, therefore, want action from the president.

“Nigerians have spoken. Nigerians have demanded. Now, we want actions,”

“We want an end to electoral manipulations, frauds, and lack of electoral integrity. These had made some Nigerians lose interest in the electoral processes. Nigerians want inclusion – inclusion of persons living with disability and women participation,” Mr Rafsanjani said.

Yemi Adamolekun of EiE Nigeria added her voice that signing the electoral bill would put an end to the practice of saying the use of technology in elections is not enshrined in law.

“Enough is Enough. The fact is that the use of technology would be enshrined in law if the bill is signed. We know in the past, they would say Card Reader is not legal so it cannot be used as evidence in court,”

“But this new bill – electoral bill 2022 recognises INEC’s prerogative to use technology. So, BVALS or whatever other technology that INEC wants to use they can use them,” she said.

The CSOs includes Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Yiaga Africa, Partners for Electoral Reform, International Press Centre, Institute for Media and Society, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, The Albino Foundation, Centre for Citizens with Disability, Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism, Labour Civil Society Coalition, Transition Monitoring Group, CLEEN Foundation, PROMAD Foundation and Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre.

Others are Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, Nigeria Network of Non-Governmental Organisations, Inclusive Friends Association, Enough is Enough, The Electoral Hub, Centre for Liberty, Take Back Nigeria Movement, International Peace, and Civic Responsibility Centre, 100 Women Lobby Group, Women in Politics Forum, Raising New Voices, Millennials Active Citizenship Advocacy Africa and Ready To Lead Africa.