Electoral Act Review To Include Punishment For Electoral Offenders – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  says it has begun to review  a draft of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill that will include stringent punishments for  election violators.
The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu  said this, yesterday in Lagos while declaring open a retreat on the Review of the Electoral Legal Framework.
He said that  the commission had in late 2019 received the draft of the bill from the Senate Committee on INEC which had earlier been presented to the executive for assent before the 2019 general elections.
“In turn, the commission shared the draft bill internally with the national commissioners, the  directors, the Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) and senior officials in the 36 states and the FCT.
“Listening to Nigerians, it is clear that a review of the Electoral Act and our electoral legal framework in general, must be anchored on curbing incidents of violence and sundry malpractices in the electoral process.
“It is also to ensure that violators of electoral laws are effectively sanctioned.
“It must deepen the deployment of technology in elections.
“It will also ensure inclusivity in the electoral process for marginalised segments of the  society such as women, youths and persons living with disabilities.”
On the issue of security during elections, Yakubu said that the amendment bill had made an extensive provision for security of lives and property during elections.
It also would ensure that  violators of electoral laws would face stiff penalties.