The National Assembly, has passed Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2021.

The passage of the Bill was consequent upon extensive deliberations by both the Senate and House of Representatives, in view of the report of the Conference Committee on the bill as the lawmakers resumed plenary after a three-week recess.

Leader of the Senate, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (APC, Kebbi North), and chairman of the Conference Committee, while presenting the report, disclosed that the bill would regulate the conduct of the Federal, State and Area councils in the Federal Capital Territory elections when passed and subsequently assented into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In all, 21 clauses were harmonised, including the controversial clause 52; which provides for Electronic Transmission of Election Result (ETR) and clause 87 which mandates political parties to adopt the direct primary mode of selection of candidates into elective positions amongst other clauses.

Abdullahi disclosed that the committee at its retreat, considered and adopted 21 clauses in the bill, including controversial clause 52 that makes provision for Electronic Transmission of Election Result (ETR).

The successful harmonisation of the Bill by the Senate and the House of Representatives is a process that started from the seventh, through to the eight and was concluded by the to the ninth Assembly.