Gbajabiamila Sets up Harmonisation Committee for Electoral Act

By Udora Orizu

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, at the plenary yesterday set up of a seven-man committee, consisting of members from the six geopolitical zones to harmonise contentious positions in the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill.

The passage of the landmark bill in July by the Senate and House of Representatives was preceded by quarrels and disagreement among the lawmakers leading to rowdy sessions.

While the upper chamber empowered the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) to determine the use of electronic transmission of election results, the lower chamber on its part gave INEC the discretion to decide ‘where applicable’ to use manual or e-transmission of election results.

Gbajabiamila, while announcing the committee members, said it would be chaired by Hon. Akeem Adeyemi (APC, Oyo), while Hon. James Faleke (APC, Lagos), Hon. Chris Azubogu (PDP, Anambra), Hon. Blessing Onuh (APC, Benue), Hon. Aisha Dukku (APC, Gombe), Hon. Unyime Idem (PDP, Akwa Ibom), and Hon. Ahmad Abdullahi Kalambaina (APC, Sokoto) would be members of the committee.