NIGERIA: Reps Passes Bill For Independent Body To Oversee Political Parties

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The House of Representatives has passed for a second reading, a bill seeking to establish an independent authority to take charge of the registration, regulation, and funding of political parties in Nigeria.

The bill, co-sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Marcus Onobun (Edo State), aims to transfer political party registration and oversight from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to a newly created independent body.

Speaking on the proposed legislation, Onobun argued that INEC should not be responsible for both regulating political parties and conducting elections.

She said: “INEC should not regulate political parties while also conducting elections. A separate authority will ensure compliance with constitutional requirements and enhance election transparency.”

Some of the provisions of the bill include: Establishment of the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties to oversee party registration and compliance.

Creation of the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal to handle conflicts within and between political parties, as well as disputes involving independent candidates.

Implementation of penalties for political parties and their members to ensure transparency and accountability.

Amendment of Sections 75–81 of the Electoral Act 2022 to remove party registration from INEC’s jurisdiction.

The bill received overwhelming support when subjected to a voice vote by Speaker Abbas and was referred to the Committees on Electoral Matters and Political Party Matters for further legislative consideration.