The revised Electoral Act Amendment Bill has been transmitted to President Muhammadu Buhari for his approval by the National Assembly.
On Monday, the document was forwarded to the president’s office in Aso Rock by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Olatunde Amos Ojo.
According to reports, the revised bill, which was passed by parliament last week, is now with the President, as Nigerians await the signing of the electoral laws ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Senator Babajide Omoworare, an advisor to the President on the National Assembly (Senate), acknowledged in a statement that the President has received the electoral bill.
Omoworare further stated that the delivery of the document is in accordance with section 58 (3) of the constitution.
He said: “The clerk to the national assembly Mr. Olatunde Amos Ojo has transmitted the authenticated copies of the Electoral Bill 2022 to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari GCFR on 31st January 2022.
“This was done in accordance with the provisions of section 58 (3) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Acts Authentication Act Cap. A2 LFN 2004.
“Mr. President had withheld assent to the Electoral Bill 2021 transmitted to him on 19th November 2021.
“The electoral bill was thereafter reworked by the national assembly and both the senate and the house of representatives passed same on 25th January 2022.”
However, the National Assembly has increased the election costs for presidential candidates from N1 billion to N5 billion.
Presidential candidates would be able to spend up to N5 billion on election expenses under the revised electoral bill, which will be handed to Buhari for approval.
In addition, gubernatorial candidates can now spend N1 billion on election costs, up from N200 million previously set by the National Assembly.
The National Assembly also upped the election costs for Senatorial candidates from N40 million to N100 million, while the costs for House of Representatives candidates jumped from N20 million to N70 million.
The maximum amount of election expenses that a candidate can incur as a chairmanship candidate is N30 million, while councillorship candidates can now spend N5 million as election expenses.
