BREAKING: Reps Pass Electoral Bill Without Compulsory Direct Primary Clause

The Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill was passed by the House of Representatives on Thursday.

The mandatory direct primary clause, on the other hand, was changed by the legislators.

After the repeal of clause (84) forcing political parties to only select candidates through direct primaries, the measure was passed.

According to the PUNCH, the Senate inserted the consensus primary option in the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill on Wednesday, as requested by President Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

Compulsory direct primaries were removed from the bill by both chambers of the National Assembly, the Senate and the House of Representatives.

While the House allowed parties to choose between direct and indirect primaries, the Senate allowed for both, as well as a consensus approach, as indicated by President Obama in a recent interview with Channels Television.

Last year, Buhari vetoed the electoral bill and sent it back to the National Assembly because it barred political parties from holding direct primaries.