The Senate of the United States of America (USA) has identified the delay in signing the Electoral Amendment Bill as one of the major obstacles to the conduct of the 2019 general elections and has urged the Federal Government to finalise it before the elections.
It made the resolution following a motion moved by Senator Bob Menendez, a Democratic senator representing New Jersey and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
While asking the Federal Government to respect the impartiality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the lawmakers also called on the Federal Government to take necessary steps to facilitate elections that are credible, transparent, and peaceful.
The U. S. Senate said steps would include providing adequate funding, sensitising the voters, and take necessary actions to punish electoral offenders through the establishment of the Electoral Offences Commission and Tribunal.
The senators also raised concerns over the recently concluded governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun where, it said, security agencies displayed partisanship.
“During the Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial elections in July 2018 and September 2018, respectively, there were concerning incidents in which some elements of Nigeria’s security agencies displayed partisanship and a lack of objectivity, which risks escalating tensions within the country.”
While reaffirming the support of the United States towards ensuring a peaceful, electioneering process in the country, the U.S. Senate said that collaboration between civil society organisations “was a key factor that contributed to successful elections in 2015”.
While moving the motion, Menendez said, “I am introducing this resolution to send a signal that the U.S. Senate is carefully watching the conduct of all actors leading up to the February 2019 elections.
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