The clamour for Nigerians who are eligible to do so to contest elections outside the platform of political parties got a big boost on Tuesday in the ongoing constitution amendment process in the National Assembly.
The Senate on Tuesday passed Bill number 58 which seeks to allow independent candidates to contest for elective positions.
The Upper Chamber, however, threw out a bill seeking to allow Nigerians in Diaspora to vote during elections.
Senate approves financial autonomy for state legislatures, judiciary, local governments
However, a Bill which seeks to provide for the election of Mayor for the Federal Capital Territory was rejected by lawmakers with 62 YES votes as 73 votes were required to pass the Bill.
Also, a Bill seeking to ensure that a person who is a registered voter and resident in the FCT is appointed a Minister representing the FCT also failed to scale through the constitution amendment.
Only 67 Senators voted YES instead of the required 73 to pass the bill.
