In groundbreaking move, Reps introduce bill for independent candidacy

The House of Representatives has introduced a bill to alter the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to create an avenue for persons who are not members of political parties to run for elective positions.

The bill, which was read for the first time, at today, Thursday, September 26’s plenary, is sponsored by the chairman, House Committee on Media and Publicity, Akin Rotimi.

The proposed legislation, according to its explanatory memorandum, “seeks to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to allow an independent candidate to contest for elective positions at all levels.”

“This will broaden the democratic process, thereby allowing citizens who are not affiliated with any political party the opportunity to run for public offices,” the explanatory memorandum further stated.

The bill provides that persons seeking to contest an election at the local government, state and federal levels shall obtain the verified signature of at least 10 percent of registered voters from at least 2/3 of the area covered by the office they are contesting.

According to the proposed legislation, INEC “shall develop and publish guidelines and procedures for the nomination, verification, and participation of independent candidates in all elections.”

The electoral body is also expected to “prescribe the time within which an independent candidate shall

submit his nomination papers and the collation of the signatures of registered voters.

“Provided that the time prescribed under this section for the collation of the signatures of registered voters shall run concurrently with the time prescribed for the conduct of primary elections by political parties. “

It also stipulates that INEC “shall prescribe a security deposit to be paid by an independent candidate seeking election into any elective office created by this Constitution or any other Act of the National Assembly: and such security deposit shall be forfeited if such a candidate fails to secure at least ten percent of the total vote cast at the election.”