Amidst calls for the adoption of open ballot system in the election of presiding officers of the 9th National Assembly, two Lawmakers said the lower chamber’s laid down rules could not be disregarded.
Reps Rimamnde Shawulu (PDP-Taraba) and Kehinde Agboola (PDP-Ekiti) made the remarks on Sunday, in separate interviews with
Some civil society organisations (CSOs) were among many proponents of the adoption of open ballot voting for the leadership of the 9th National Assembly.
According to Shawulu, any attempt to change the House of Representatives’ Standing Orders in the 9th Assembly election without following the due process will be an aberration to the practice.
The lawmaker, who got re-elected in the Feb. 23 National Assembly polls, said promoters of open ballot election were not well informed.
“Let them come from outside and amend the rules now. President Muhammadu Buhari said he could not assent to the Electoral Act because it was too close to the 2019 general elections.
“Now, we have some weeks to the election and you want to amend how leadership is elected. That is double standard; it doesn’t make sense,’’ Shawulu said.
The lawmaker, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Army, however, said the rules would have to be amended at the lower chamber before anyone could talk about open ballot.
“The rules are already set; any member, who wants the rules amended, can bring the motion to the floor of the house.
“And if it is passed, it becomes law but now, the rules of the house have been there since 2011.
“The same rules that led to the emergence of Aminu Tambuwal are the same rules that led to the emergence of Yakubu Dogara.
“So, there has been no reason to change it, but if anyone thinks it should be changed, he can bring the proposed amendment,’’ said the lawmaker representing Takum/Sons/Ussa/Special Area Federal Constituency.
He pointed out that the rule, which was clearly written out, “is about secret ballot.’’
Corroborating Shawulu’s remark, Agboola said adopting open ballot “will amount to shifting a goal post at the middle of a football match.’’
“We have never voted in the house on open ballot. So we will not take that; they can’t dictate to us.
“Unfortunately, some of the new members too do not even know how it works.
“When we were coming in, the standing order had already been produced for the 8th National Assembly.