In order to reconcile the differences between the versions of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill that were enacted by both chambers of the National Assembly, the House of Representatives established a bipartisan conference committee.
The House spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, revealed the development in a statement on Thursday morning, according to Daily Trust.
Rotimi clarified that, in response to a directive from the Green Chamber leadership, the decision was conveyed through an internal letter from Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, the Clerk to the House of Representatives.
The statement claims that Rep. Adebayo Balogun, the chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, is in charge of the committee.
Representatives are among the other panel members. Saidu Musa Abdullahi, Dr. Zainab Gimba, Iduma Igariwey Enwo, Ahmadu Jaha, Fred Agbedi, and Sada Soli.
The conference committee’s job is to work with its Senate equivalent to resolve discrepancies in the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill’s provisions.
The House claims that the goal of the exercise is to create a harmonized version of the bill for the National Assembly’s final approval.
The statement stated, “The conference committee is required to work with its Senate counterpart to reconcile the disparate provisions in the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill in order to produce a harmonized version for final passage by the National Assembly.”
In order to increase openness, legitimacy, and public trust in Nigeria’s democratic process, the House of Representatives reaffirmed its commitment to implementing electoral reforms.
The parliamentarians pointed out that the action demonstrates the National Assembly’s resolve to strengthen the laws governing the nation’s elections.
It was understood that in order to collaborate with the House on harmonizing the measure, the Senate had previously established its own conference committee.
Senator Simon Bako Lalong was named the Senate committee’s chairman by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday.
Senators Niyi Adegbonmire, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Adamu Aliero, Orji Uzor Kalu, Abba Moro, Tokunbo Abiru, Aminu Abbas, and Asuquo Ekpenyong are among the other members.
It is anticipated that both chambers working together will expedite the legislative process and guarantee the creation of a cohesive modification to the Electoral Act that represents the National Assembly’s consensus.
