DIASPORA BILL PASSES SECOND READING AT HOUSE OF REPS

 

A bill to modify the Constitution and enable voting from the Diaspora passed its second reading in the House of Representatives, yesterday.

The House also approved, for a second reading, a bill to ensure adequate funding for mineral resources exploration and extraction through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

Co-sponsored by the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, and Sodeeq Abdullahi, the voting bill aims to revise the 2022 Electoral Act and create voting opportunities for Nigerians living abroad without the rigours of travelling home to exercise their voting rights.

After it was passed for a second reading in July, the bill was referred to the Committee on Electoral Matters for further legislative action. It was, however, referred to the Constitution Amendment Committee for further legislative action, yesterday.

Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill on July 9, Abdullahi argued that Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) granted citizens the fundamental right of freedom of expression and opinion.

“All citizens, therefore, irrespective of their location anywhere in the globe, should be given that right and freedom to express themselves in our country’s general election,” he said.

Abbas had explained that since Nigerians abroad meet their financial obligations to the country through remittances, it is fair and proper that they were given the right to carry out their civic responsibility of expressing their leadership preferences during elections.