The House of Representatives has rejected a proposal to criminalise the financial or material inducement of delegates during party primaries.
The decision was taken on Thursday during a clause-by-clause review of a report proposing amendments to the Electoral Act 2022. A clause in the report had suggested that anyone found financially inducing a delegate to influence the outcome of party primaries, congresses, or conventions should face two years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine.
Clause 89(4) of the proposed amendment stated: “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.”
However, when the presiding officer, Benjamin Kalu, called for a voice vote, legislators unanimously voted against the clause.
Vote inducement, where aspirants offer cash or material benefits to sway delegates, remains a recurring practice in Nigeria’s delegate-based primary system, which concentrates decision-making power in the hands of a small group of party members.
Separately, the House approved stricter penalties for offences involving ballot papers and election materials. Under the approved provisions, anyone who prints or possesses ballot papers or result forms without proper authorisation, or exceeds the number approved by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), commits an offence.
Additionally, individuals who manufacture, supply, or use ballot boxes or related appliances that allow ballots or result forms to be secretly placed, diverted, or manipulated face a maximum fine of N75 million, imprisonment for at least 10 years, or both.