The House of Representatives recently passed a bill for first reading that could change the landscape of future elections in Nigeria. The proposed legislation aims to amend the 1999 Constitution to allow independent candidates to run for various offices, including presidential, governorship, and local government council elections.
Sponsored by Akin Rotimi, the bill seeks to amend several sections of the constitution to enable individuals not backed by political parties to participate in elections. Rotimi emphasized the need to broaden the democratic process by giving unaffiliated citizens the opportunity to seek public office without restrictions. Noting that he himself is sponsored by a political party, Rotimi highlighted the importance of allowing qualified individuals to run independently, as seen in advanced democracies.
The bill outlines specific requirements for independent candidates, such as obtaining a certain percentage of verified signatures from registered voters in their area. If passed, the Independent National Electoral Commission will develop guidelines for the nomination and participation of independent candidates, further expanding the political space.
This move has been welcomed by organizations like ElectHer, who see it as a step towards ensuring a more inclusive electoral system for all Nigerians, especially underrepresented groups like women, youths, and persons with disabilities.
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