The Nigerian House of Representatives, on Tuesday, passed 39 constitutional amendment bills for a second reading, marking a significant step toward electoral and governance reforms in the country.

Among the key bills approved are:

  1. Simultaneous General Elections: A bill proposing that general elections for the President, State Governors, National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly, and Local Government Area Councils be conducted on the same date.
  2. State and Local Government Police: A bill advocating the establishment of state and local government police to enhance security and law enforcement at the grassroots level.
  3. FCT House of Assembly: A bill proposing the establishment of a House of Assembly for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
  4. Court of Appeal as Final Arbiter in Election Petitions: A bill seeking to make the Court of Appeal the final appeal court for governorship, National, and State Assembly election petitions.
  5. Mandatory Resignation for Political Party Executives Seeking Elective Positions: A bill mandating the compulsory resignation of national and state executive members of political parties before they can contest elective positions.
  6. Resolution of Election Appeals Before Swearing-in: A bill seeking to ensure that all appeals from election petition tribunals are concluded before the swearing-in of elected officials, including the President, Vice-President, Governors, Deputy Governors, and members of the National and State Assemblies.
  7. INEC to Conduct Local Government Elections: A bill proposing to empower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct Local Government Area Council elections, taking over from state electoral bodies.
  8. Defection Rules for Lawmakers: A bill requiring elected members of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly to officially resign from their political party before defecting to another.
  9. National Assembly Power to Alter Election Tribunal Timelines: A bill seeking to grant the National Assembly the authority to modify the timelines for election tribunals.
  10. Creation of National Local Government Electoral Commission: A bill proposing the establishment of an independent commission to oversee local government elections nationwide, including the Federal Capital Territory, to ensure transparency and fairness.
  11. Special Seats for Physically Challenged Persons: A bill advocating for designated seats in federal, state, and local government legislative houses for persons with disabilities.
  12. Special Seats for Interest Groups in the House of Representatives: A bill proposing six special seats for special interest groups in the House of Representatives.
  13. Renaming the Office of the Auditor-General: A bill seeking to change the title of the Auditor-General of the Federation to Auditor-General of the Federal Government.
  14. Enhanced Financial Autonomy for the Auditor-General: A bill aimed at removing restrictions on the powers and duties of the Auditor-General at the federal and state levels while granting financial independence to the office.
  15. Strengthening the Office of the Auditor-General: A bill to reinforce the role of the Auditor-General of the Federation and the States for improved accountability.
  16. Regulation of Political Parties: A bill proposing the establishment of the Political Parties Registration and Regulatory Commission to register, regulate, and monitor political parties.
  17. Expansion of the Supreme Court: A bill seeking to increase the number of justices of the Supreme Court to enhance efficiency, expedite justice delivery, and align with federal character principles.

These proposed amendments, along with other bills in the package, aim to reform Nigeria’s electoral system, enhance governance, and strengthen democratic institutions. The passage of the bills for second reading marks a crucial phase before further legislative scrutiny and potential constitutional review processes.

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