By joshua 
Ayo Ola
A former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin branch, Kwara State, Mr. Issa Manzuma, has said the signing of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2022 by President Muhammadu Buhari marked a new dawn in Nigeria’s democracy.
He stated that the recent presidential assent to the 2022 Electoral Act will sanitize the electoral process in Nigeria.
According to him, the law introduced new innovations with a great deal of improvements on the previous electoral laws.
Manzuma said, “These new salient provisions could positively guarantee transparency in the system and ensure the right of citizens to vote.
“The incidence of rigging and thuggery would likely reduce as the new law incorporates the use of card readers and other technological devices during elections.
“Section 3(3) of the law also provides for early release of funds to the electoral body thus giving Inec enough time and and resources to prepare for eletions. “The incidence of sudden shift of dates of election due to late arrival of electoral materials as exprienced during Prof Jega and current Chairman would likely be avoided.The two incidents were national embarrassments to the country.
“The law specifically forbids electoral officials from identifying with or being affiliated with any political party thus ensuring their neutrality.”
He added, “The power of the electoral body to review results declared under duress is another key innovation of the new law.
“The early conduct of primary election and submission of list of candidates would obviate omission of candidates names and party logo which had characterised previous exercise.
“Laudable as the law may be, the human element in the implementation and application of the law is far more important.
“INEC had scheduled a date for a seminar or whatever it is on the implementation of the new law.
“Our problems over the years is not due to inadequate or defective laws alone but the absence of character and institutional factors that are necessary for the system to work.
“In the words of late Udo Udoma JSC,there are no perfect laws or system anywhere in the World but a workable law or system,dependent on human management.
“I am therefore of the view that unless the new law is allowed to work, the much expected changes may not be achieved.
The role of key stakeholders; INEC, judiciary, politicians and security agencies in the electoral process,is important in the implementation of the new law.”… Continue reading