Reps Reject Proposal To Criminalise Vote-Buying During Party Primaries

The House of Representatives has rejected a proposal that seek to make vote-buying during party primaries a criminal offence.

Lawmakers rejected the motion on Thursday while reviewing proposed amendments to the Electoral Act 2022, clause by clause.

The rejected proposal suggested a two-year jail term, without the option of a fine, for anyone who gives money or other incentives to delegates in order to influence the outcome of party primaries, congresses, or conventions.

Clause 89(4) of the amendment report states: “A person that financially or materially induces a delegate for the purpose of influencing the outcome of the party primaries, congresses and conventions commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment of two years without an option of fine”.

The clause was put to a voice vote by the presiding officer, Benjamin Kalu, and was unanimously voted against by members of the House.

Offering cash or material gifts to delegates to sway votes has long been a common practice during party primaries in Nigeria.

This is largely due to the delegate-based system, which gives significant decision-making power to a small number of party members.

While rejecting the vote-buying clause, lawmakers approved a separate provision introducing tougher penalties for offences involving ballot papers and election materials.

Under the approved rule, it is an offence for anyone to print ballot papers or result forms without authorisation, produce more copies than approved by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), or possess such materials during an ongoing election without being involved in voting.

The law also targets the illegal production, importation, possession, or use of ballot boxes or related equipment designed to allow ballot papers or result forms to be secretly inserted, diverted, or tampered with.

Offenders risk a fine of up to N75 million, a prison sentence of at least 10 years, or both.

KanyiDaily recalls that the House of Representatives also approved higher campaign spending limits for candidates running for elective offices in Nigeria.