The senate, this morning threw out an executive bill seeking to amend the 2010 electoral act. The move is expected to come as a setback to President Goodluck Jonathan's campaign in particular.

The bill which was sent to the lawmakers by the president some weeks ago is seeking, amongst other things, to amend the 2010 electoral act in a way that will enable political office holders and their aides to participate as delegates at political party primaries. This would have enabled members of President Jonathan's cabinet to vote as delegates in the upcoming primaries.

The bill also seeks to transfer the power to determine the sequence of elections from the law to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and accommodate the anticipated time line changes to the constitution.