The senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, January 19 passed the electoral bill with some amendments.

The Red Chamber convened over the controversial clause in the bill to allow for other modes of primaries and other related matters as it concerns the 2023 election.

The president demanded that the electoral bill be passed in January 2022 so that the positive provisions of the bill, especially on the card reader, strengthening of INEC, over-voting, and electronic transmission of results will be implemented in 2023 elections.

President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier rejected the electoral act amendment bill citing his action was meant to protect the country’s democracy from moneybag political parties.

The Senate in complying with the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari amended and passed the bill with three options for all the political parties, which are the direct election, indirect election, and conscientious option.

According to Arise Television parties that choose to abide by the indirect primaries option will have to hold special conventions at all state levels for governorship position and for the presidency, the parties will hold conventions at all the 36 states and a national convention to nominate their candidates respectively.

But it also makes provision to delete the provision for the conduct of indirect primaries in the nomination of party candidates and making direct primaries compulsory for all political parties.

Ahmed Lawani, the senate president, has promised to send the amended bill to the president for his assent.