Reps reject move to criminalize vote-buying during party primaries

The House of Representatives has turned down a proposal to make it a criminal offence to induce voters during party primaries.

Lawmakers voted against the measure on Thursday during the clause-by-clause review of a report seeking amendments to the Electoral Act 2022.

The rejected clause had suggested that anyone who financially entices a delegate to influence the outcome of party primaries should face two years’ imprisonment, with no option for a fine.

Clause 89(4) of the amendment report states: “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”.

But legislators unanimously voted against it when Benjamin Kalu, the presiding officer, called for a voice vote.

Inducement of delegates, in which aspirants often offer cash or material benefits to influence votes at congresses and conventions, is a recurring feature of party primaries in Nigeria.

The practice is primarily driven by the delegate-based primary system, which concentrates power in the hands of a small group of party members.

PENALTY FOR BALLOT OFFENCES

The lawmakers approved a separate provision imposing stiff penalties for offences related to ballot papers and election materials.

Under the approved clause, a person who, without proper authority, prints a ballot paper or any item capable of being used as a ballot paper or result form, or prints more than the number authorised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), or is found in possession of a ballot paper or result form without being in the process of voting while the election is still ongoing, commits an offence.

Additionally, anyone who manufactures, constructs, imports, possesses, supplies to an election official, or uses for an election any ballot box or related appliance that allows a ballot paper or result form to be secretly placed, diverted, or manipulated, is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of N75 million, imprisonment for a term not less than 10 years, or both.

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