Senate Passes Electoral Act to End Cash-for-Votes System

The Nigerian Senate has announced that the new provisions in the Electoral Act will abolish the cash-for-votes system by limiting candidate nominations to direct primaries and consensus arrangements. Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who leads the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, emphasized that these changes are designed to curb the influence of money in politics and to dismantle the delegate system, which has been criticized for being susceptible to manipulation.

The new electoral framework aims to reflect a consensus among political actors and civil society groups, aligning with global democratic standards. Bamidele dismissed claims from opposition parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress, that the provisions weaken their chances against ruling parties.

The Act also requires political parties to submit a digital register of their members to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) within a stipulated timeframe, reinforcing transparency and accountability in the electoral process. The Senate also condemned recent attacks in Plateau and Kaduna states, reaffirming its commitment to addressing insecurity in the country.