A bill to create the National Commission and Court of Electoral Crimes passed this Thursday in second reading in the House of Representatives.
The bill, which consists of seven parts and 48 sections, sought to remove the “burden” of prosecuting electoral offenders from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The bill that was merged with four others was sponsored by the chairman of the House Electoral Affairs Committee, Aishatu Duku.
The bill stated that it was unrealistic for the INEC to hold free, fair and credible elections and at the same time prosecute crimes stemming from the elections themselves.
The Electoral Reform Committee headed by former Nigerian Chief Justice Mohammed Uwais had recommended in 2007 the creation of a special prosecution body to be known as the Electoral Crimes Commission.
This is to work independently in charging and prosecuting election offenders.
ALSO READ: Representatives to investigate Nigerian financial contributions to ECOWAS
The bill should provide the legal framework for the investigation and prosecution of electoral offenses for the overall improvement of the electoral process in Nigeria.
The Senate had approved a similar bill in July 2021.
The bill passed by the upper house prescribes a 20-year prison sentence for offenders found guilty of stealing ballot boxes during elections.
(YAYA)