Nigerian president signs amended electoral act

Reuters/Abuja
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan signed an amended electoral act yesterday that should clear the way for the country’s electoral commission to finalise the timetable for presidential and parliamentary polls.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) warned on Wednesday that uncertainty over the legal framework for next year’s polls and funding problems were delaying its efforts to overhaul the voter register and ensure a credible vote.
“(The bill) contains fundamental changes aimed at improving the conduct of elections in our country,” Jonathan said after signing the amended act.
The changes include giving INEC more time to finalise the voters’ register and bring the electoral act in line with a constitutional amendment passed by parliament last month, which would bring polls forward to January from April.
There is still debate over whether Jonathan must also approve that …

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