The Senate on Thursday began amendment to the Electoral Act to introduce electoral debate as a requirement to be fulfilled by candidates of political parties seeking to contest Presidential and Governorship elections in Nigeria.

Sponsor of the Electoral Act Amendment bill 2020 (SB.176), Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (APC – Oyo North), in his lead debate said if passed by the National Assembly, the piece of legislation will put an end to voting based on ethnic and religious allegiances in the country.

He added that when signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, the amended Act will also empower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organize and conduct debate for all candidates into the offices of the President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and of Governor and Deputy of a State.