THE Senate on Tuesday passed a bill to establish the Electoral Offences Commission, approving 20 years’ jail term or a fine of N40m for ballot boxes’ snatchers. The Bill sponsored by Senator representing Borno North, Abubakar Shaib Kyari passed the second reading last March and was sent to the Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). “Indeed INEC has at several occasions admitted that it lacks the wherewithal to cleanse the system.”Accordingly, the Senate during consideration of INEC committee report approved the establishment of the National Electoral Offences Commission. It also gave at least 15 years jail term or N30 million fine for any security personnel or election official engaged by the Independent National Electoral Commission or State Electoral Commission who attempts to influence the outcome of an election. The National Electoral Offences Commission Bill, 2021, prohibits any campaign against national interest.

Source: Nigerian Tribune July 14, 2021 07:07 UTC