- State Financial Grant Towards Administrative and Policy Development Costs of Political Parties
Currently, political parties in Nigeria does not get any sort of financial support from the Federal Government towards any of their activities. It is our humble submission that administrative and policy development cost should be entitled to a financial grant but not campaign expenses. In essence, we submit that it is in the public interest for the Electoral Act 2022 to be amended to provide for financial grant towards administrative and policy development costs.
The following are part of the rationale for public funding of parties:
- It limits the impact of private money on democracy, ensuring that public interest guides political behavior. It protects the parties from moneybags or limits their influence. And, also prevent the capture the government by moneybags.
- State funding promotes justice, equal opportunity, and political competitiveness, especially benefiting smaller parties.
- Thirdly, it reduces private influence, curbing corruption through regulated contributions and spending.
- Party politics’ costs rise, public funding becomes essential for democratic progress, allowing parties to focus on their campaigns effectively.
- It is in line with global best practices. 60% of democratic countries support political parties financially including Germany, United Kingdom, Sweden, Israel, Canada, Australia, Austria, Spain, France, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland and many others.
There are two categories of public funding: direct and indirect. In a sample of over 180 nations, 25% provide no public funding, 58% provide direct funding, and 60% provide indirect funding. 1 Direct funding of grant towards administrative and policy development expenses. And, indirect grant by allowing the political parties a regulated slot and access to state broadcasting institutions.
In conclusion, we submit that it is in the public interest to provide financial grant to political parties so they can adhere to principles that keep them free from the influence of moneybags who, by hook or by crook, seeks to acquire political power or influence.
- Admissibility of Electronic Versions of Voters Register
The election petition rules should allow for the admissibility of electronic versions of voters register in the form of protected hard drives that are usually issued to all political parties by INEC before the commencement of any election. The current procedure that requires obtaining certified true copies of the voters register from INEC is frustrating, cumbersome and outdated. Even the sheer volume of the documents will discourage the judges from going through them.
