Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Amendment Bill Passes First Reading

Aniekan Bassey

(The Speaker of the AKHA)

BY VICTOR UFOT

 A Bill for a Law to amend the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2007, sponsored by the Chairman House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petition, Human Rights and Justice and Member Representing Mkpat Enin State Constituency, Mr. Victor  Patrick Ekwere Tuesday, passed through first reading.

The bill, which is co-sponsored by 11 other lawmakers seek to amend the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission bill to strengthen and protect democracy in the state, as well as cure specific defects plaguing the existing law.

A major aspect of the bill is its provision to allow for the appointment of experienced legal practitioners of not less than 10 years post-call as members of the Tribunal instead of ‘seven’ contained in the principal law and other relevant sections.

The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Aniekan Bassey shortly after mentioning the bill, mandated the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Mandu Umoren to read for the first time before  committing the Bill to the House Committee on Rules, Business, Ethics and Privileges for rescheduling.