The House of Representatives has rejected a proposal seeking to criminalise the inducement of delegates during party primaries.
Lawmakers voted against the proposal on Thursday during a clause-by-clause consideration of a report on the amendment of the Electoral Act 2022.
The rejected clause proposed a two-year jail term, without an option of fine, for any individual found guilty of financially or materially inducing a delegate to influence the outcome of party primaries, congresses, or conventions.
Clause 89(4) of the proposed amendment stated that any person who induces a delegate for the purpose of swaying party primary elections commits an offence punishable by imprisonment.
However, the lawmakers unanimously voted against the clause through a voice vote conducted by the presiding officer, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
Inducement of delegates remains a common feature of party primaries in Nigeria, largely due to the delegate-based system that concentrates decision-making power in the hands of a limited number of party members.
Reps Approve Stiffer Penalties for Ballot-Related Offences
Meanwhile, the House approved a separate provision imposing tougher penalties for offences involving ballot papers and election materials.
Under the approved clause, unauthorised printing or possession of ballot papers or result forms during an election constitutes an offence.
The provision also criminalises the manufacture, possession, importation, or use of ballot boxes or devices designed to secretly divert or manipulate ballot papers or result forms.
Offenders, upon conviction, face a fine of up to ₦75 million, a prison term of not less than 10 years, or both.