The House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters has challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for recommending that political parties exclude serving lawmakers from participating in bye-elections. Committee Chairman Hon. Adebayo Balogun asserts that no current law prohibits lawmakers from running in bye-elections, arguing that INEC's suggestion is merely an advisory and not legally binding. He emphasizes that excluding serving lawmakers would be undemocratic and unfair, citing examples of governors and deputies who successfully contested elections while serving as lawmakers. Balogun encourages political parties and voters to consider fielding experienced lawmakers for vacant positions.
The House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters has countered the Independent National Electoral Commission for advising political parties to exclude serving lawmakers from contesting bye-elections.Chairman of the committee, Hon. Adebayo Balogun, while addressing Parliamentary Correspondents stated that there is no existing law stopping serving lawmakers or political office holders from contesting bye-elections.Hon.
“And it’s unfortunate that it came as a by-election. Naturally, after every season, every dispensation, most of the people that contest for a Senatorial seat are usually former House members.“So it’s unfortunate that this thing happened, people die or some are due to resignation. But if such opportunity comes, we should not restrict it to certain people. We should leave it open for everybody. This is a democracy; let the person with the highest number win.“That’s what democracy is all about.
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