Section 81 Electoral Act 2026

Section 81 of the Nigerian Electoral Act 2026 is about Merger of political parties. It provides as follows:

(1) Any two or more registered political parties may merge on approval by the
Commission following a formal request presented to the Commission by the
political parties for that purpose.

(2) Political parties intending to merge shall each give to the Commission nine
months’ notice of their intention to do so before a general election.

(3) The written request for merger shall be sent to the Chairman of the Commission and shall be signed jointly by the National Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer for the time being of the different political parties proposing the merger and shall be accompanied by —

(a) a special resolution passed by the national convention of each of the
political parties proposing to merge, approving the merger;

(b) the proposed full name and acronym, constitution, manifesto, symbol
or logo of the party together with the addresses of the national office
of the party resulting from the merger; and

(c) evidence of payment of administrative fee as may be fixed by the
Commission.

(4) On receipt of the request for merger of political parties the Commission shall
consider the request, and if the parties have fulfilled the requirements of the
Constitution and this Act, approve the proposed merger and communicate its
decision to the parties concerned before the expiration of 60 days from the date
of receipt of the formal request:

Provided that where the Commission fails to communicate its decision within 60
days, the parties shall within 14 days thereafter challenge the decision of the
Commission at the court and establish by cogent and verifiable reason that they
have met all the constitutional requirements for merger.

(5) Where the request for the proposed merger is approved, the Commission shall
withdraw and cancel the certificates of registration of all the political parties
opting for the merger and substitute a single certificate of registration in the name
of the party resulting from the merger.

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