Strengthening the Electoral System
#ReviewConstitution series on the constitutional amendment continued. Click here to see the status as at 10th October, 2017
Reduction of Age for Election
This amendment seeks to review downwards age restrictions when standing in elections. The required age for citizens to stand in the presidential election will be reduced from the current 40 to 35 years. Similarly, the current 30 years condition to contest as members of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assemblies will be reduced to 25 years. It allows younger persons to compete for political offices. It is popularly known as the #NotTooYoungToRun bill.
Independent Candidacy
This amendment allows independent candidacy in elections at the national, sub-national and local levels. It allows citizens to contest elections without being sponsored by a political party. If passed, it will help deepen internal party democracy through transparent and acceptable primaries.
Conduct of Bye-Elections and Power to De-Register Political Parties
This amendment seeks to provide the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with sufficient time to conduct bye-elections by increasing the number of days from 7 days as it currently exists to 21 days. This will allow INEC to adequately prepare for bye-elections. It also empowers INEC to de-register political parties who are not able to meet minimum requirements in national, state and local elections. This amendment will help reduce the number of political parties on the ballot to a manageable amount during elections with its attendant reduction in logistics costs, ballot papers and numbers of electoral officials, agents and so on.
Determination of Pre-Election Matters
This amendment provides a time frame for the dispensation of pre-election matters by prescribing a time frame within which such cases must be concluded for sake of justice and equity for those involved in the lawsuit. There are pre-election cases that linger till the end of the term or administration thereby defeating the essence of the legal action in addition to distracting the occupant of the office.
#ReviewConstitution Stay empowered by knowing more! Stay satisfied by engaging more! We must tell our state legislators to confidently say yes or no to the changes! We (citizens) must influence these critical decisions. Check out the amendments strengthening the Local Government (click here) and Governance Institutions like the Legislature (click here).
Tomorrow's Focus: Bills Strengthening Key Accountability Institutions
- Bill on Separation of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation with that of the Accountant-General of the Federal Government
- Bill on First Line Charge for the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation and States
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