March 21, (THEWILL) – The speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Tuesday, urged lawmakers to ensure the Electoral Offences Bill is passed before the end of the ninth assembly in June.
THEWILL reports the spate of election violence before, during after the 2023 General elections in Nigeria.
While there were reported incidents of attacks during campaigns, verbal and physical attacks, among other incidents of voter intimidation, ballot snatching, were recorded across the country during the elections.
However, in his address to welcome members of the lower Chambers back from the election break on Tuesday, Gbajabiamila said the enactment of the Electoral Offences Bill is crucial to the effective prosecution of individuals who violate electoral laws.
Emphasising that a law against Electoral violence is essential to safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, the Speaker said the enforcement of punishment against electoral offenders is a necessary deterrent to others and will build confidence in the country’s electoral process.
“The Electoral Offences Act is one area where we must take action before the culmination of the 9th House of Representatives”, he said.
Gbajabiamila commended Professor Mahmood Yakubu and other staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for their role in ensuring the successful conduct of the 2023 general elections.
