Why National Assembly Should Amend Electoral Act 2022 – Adegboruwa

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has said the National Assembly should amend the Electoral Act 2022 for the country to have transparent elections.

He made this known days after the Supreme Court berated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for failing to upload election results on its Result Viewing Portal (IREV).

The apex court ruled that the failure of the electoral body to upload the results on IREV may lead to a loss of public confidence in the electoral process. It, however, held that such failure will not lead to the nullification of election results.

Speaking with Vanguard, Adegboruwa said the national assembly should amend the Electoral Act which will guarantee the country transparent elections.

The senior lawyer added that the amendment will stipulate a penalty for INEC if it fails Nigerians upon its voluntary undertaking.

His words: “The Supreme Court held that failure by INEC to upload election results on IREV leads to loss of public confidence in the electoral process.

“The court, however, held that such failure will not lead to the nullification of election results. The judgment is sound in law and accords with the relevant statutes on the issue.

“What then is the penalty for the electoral umpire that failed Nigerians upon its voluntary undertaking? It is left for the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to give us transparent elections. We cannot continue in this fashion.’’