Civil Society Groups declare 22nd February 2022 National Day of Protest on the Electoral Bill

Abuja, 18th February 2022, 

Aware that on the 31st January 2022, the National Assembly transmitted the Electoral Bill 2022 to the President for assent after expeditiously reworking the bill to meet the President’s expectations. Also, aware the bill allows electronic transmission of results, strengthens INEC’s financial independence and empower the commission to reject falsified election results.

Further aware, the bill, when signed, requires INEC to issue Notice of Election not later than 360 days before the day appointed for an election. Therefore, the President has to give assent to the bill on or before 22nd February 2022 if the dates announced for the 2023 elections are to be maintained.

Concerned that the delay in granting presidential assent to the Electoral Bill, 2022 will create legal uncertainties that threaten the integrity of the off-cycle elections in Ekiti, Osun, and the 2023 general election, which is 366 days away.

The civil society community resolves to declare Tuesday, 22nd February 2022, as the National Day of Protest to demand immediate assent to the bill. Civil society networks will organize peaceful public direct-action activities to further the demand to assent the bill. We urge citizens across the nation to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to act on this matter of urgent national importance.

Signed.

1. Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room

2. Yiaga Africa

3. Partners for Electoral Reform (PER)

4. International Press Centre

5. Institute for Media and Society

6. Nigerian Women Trust Fund

7. The Albino Foundation

8. Centre for Citizens with Disability

9. Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ)

10. Labour Civil Society Coalition (LASCO)

11. Transition Monitoring Group

12. CLEEN Foundation

13. Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)

14. Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC)

15. Nigeria Network of Non-Governmental Organizations (NNNGO)

16. Inclusive Friends Association (IFA)

17. Enough is Enough

18. The Electoral Hub

19. Centre for Liberty

20. Take Back Nigeria Movement

21. International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC)

22. 100 Women Lobby Group

23. Women in Politics Forum

24. Raising New Voices

25. Millennials Active Citizenship Advocacy Africa

26. Ready To Lead Africa