The Senate has thrown out a bill seeking to amend the Electoral Act to allow political parties nominate or replace validly elected candidates in the event of death, resignation or vacancy of seats of serving state or federal lawmakers.

 

The bill sponsored by Senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Karimi, suffered a major setback during Wednesday's plenary as his colleagues did not allow it pass Second Reading.

 

In his lead debate, Senator Karimi, had said the bill is necessary as it would put an end to unnecessary expenditures in rerun elections.

 

According to him, various Supreme Court judgements had indicated that political parties have the sole right to produce candidates for elections which is why party logos are printed on ballot papers during elections and not the candidates.

 

However, opposing the bill, Senator Kawu Sumaila from Kano South, said democracy in its purest form deals with the wishes of the generality of the people and not that of a political party as envisaged by the bill.

 

 

In putting to rest any further discussion on the bill, Senate leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele lamented the inability of the sponsor to present copies of the lead debate to lawmakers to see.