The newly amended 2022 electoral act was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday afternoon.
Section 84(8) of the Electoral Act, which formerly permitted only elected delegates of a party to participate in conventions or other party meetings, was amended by the two chambers of the National Assembly in a rushed vote.
The amendment was approved by the National Assembly following consideration of a bill titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Electoral Act No. 13, 2022; and for Related Matters” (HB. 1984).
Section 84(8) of the Electoral Act does not permit the participation of what are commonly known as statutory delegates in political party conventions, congresses, or meetings.
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According to subsection (8) of section 84 of the Electoral Amendment Act, a political party that adopts indirect primaries for the selection of its candidates must outline in its constitution and bylaws the procedure for the democratic election of delegates.
This is in addition to the statutory delegates already specified by the party’s constitution who are permitted to vote at the party’s convention, congress, or meeting.
According to reports, statutory delegates consist of councillors, local government chairmen and their vices, political party chairmen in all 774 LGAs, and state and federal legislators.
Governors and their deputies, the President and Vice President, members of the National Working Committees of political parties, state party chairs and secretaries round out the remainder of the membership.
The amendment permitted statutory delegates, in addition to the delegates elected by various political parties at congresses and conventions, to vote for candidates for various political offices.
However, with only a few days remaining until the primaries, politicians have increased pressure on the president to sign the Amended Act to avert a crisis.
On Saturday, May 22, 2022, the bill was signed into law.
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Emeka Chinedu, who represents the federal constituency of Ahiazu/Ezinihittee Mbaise in the House of Representatives, confirmed this information.
Chinedu told reporters, “I can confirm that Mr. President signed the bill into law this afternoon, and we’re all thrilled because it gives us and other statutory delegates the ability to vote in the primaries.
“Members of the national assembly acted swiftly to amend the Act to allow statutory delegates of political parties to vote at their conventions and congresses.
