The amended electoral bill submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari by the National Assembly is inclusive of a clause which bars political appointees such as Ministers and Commissioners from being voting delegate or aspirant in an election.
Why it matters?
The amended electoral bill, if signed by President Buhari, would see political appointees with presidential aspirations or any other positions declared as ineligible for primaries. To become eligible, they would have to resign their current positions before their political parties’ primaries.
According to the amended electoral bill, if a political party doesn’t abide by this provision, the defaulting candidate would not stand for a general election for that issue position. A candidate can apply to the Federal High Court in cases of inappropriate selection or nomination during party primaries.