Addressing The Issues Arising From The Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021

The President, through a letter dated 13 December, 2021 read at the Senate by the Senate President on 21 December, 2021 communicated his decision to withhold assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021, passed by both houses of the National Assembly.

Reactions have trailed the President's refusal once again to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. The reactions basically relate to two features of the Bill, to wit: the provisions for electronic transmission of election results and mandatory direct party primaries.

The provision for direct party primaries elicited mixed reactions. While some Nigerians criticized the President, other Nigerians believe that the President made the right decision. However, Nigerians roundly expressed disappointment by the refusal of Mr. President to give life to an enactment that will allow the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to electronically transmit election results in Nigeria, which many believe will