Senate Amends Electoral Act 2022

The Nigerian Senate has re-amended the Electoral Act 2022 to allow statutory delegates vote at the congresses or conventions of political parties.

The amendment which was speedily passed by the Upper Chamber on Tuesday plenary followed its consideration by the Committee on the Whole. 

According to the new amendment, ‘Statutory Delegates’ include the President, Vice President, Members of the National Assembly, Governors and their deputies, Members of the State Houses of Assembly, Chairmen of Councils, Councilors, National Working Committee of political parties, amongst others. 

In his lead debate, Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, explained that legislation seeks to amend Section 84(8) of the Electoral Act.

Omo-Agege stated that the controversial section “does not provide for the participation of what is generally known as ‘statutory delegates’ in the conventions, congresses or meetings of political parties."

After contributions by lawmakers in support of the bill, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, explained that the amendment became imperative in view of the deficiency created by the provision of section 84(8) of the extant Act before the party primaries starts in the next eight days.