Nigeria’s house of representatives on Wednesday kicked out a bill seeking to Alter the 1999 Constitution by changing the system of simple Majority Rule of electing the President of the country and State Governors where there are more than two candidates.
The proposed legislation sponsored by Awaji–Inombek Abiante seeks to amend sections 134 and 179 of the constitution, which spells out conditions to be elected Governors and President respectively.
The bill seeks to ensure that the winner of a presidential or governorship election scores more than half of the total votes cast in an election.
However, the lawmakers declined to allow the lead sponsor to lead debate on the bill before raising objectione to the bill scheduled on the order paper for second reading.
The bill when put to a voice vote was rejected by members of the house, leaving the speaker to rule in favour of those who opposed the proposed amendment.
Editor: Ena Agbanoma
