Reps consider bill to create special seats for women, PWDs

The Nigerian House of Representatives is debating a proposed constitutional amendment to establish six dedicated seats for women and persons with disabilities (PWDs) within the legislative chamber.

Sponsored by House spokesperson Akin Rotimi, this bill aims to increase representation and inclusivity in the House.

The current 1999 Constitution allocates 360 seats in the House of Representatives, and the amendment would add seats specifically to ensure greater participation from women and PWDs.

According to The Cable, the bill proposes to revise Section 49 of the Constitution, aiming to increase the number of House members from 360 to 366. This change is intended to ensure representation from constituencies with nearly equal populations, while maintaining the stipulation that no constituency may span more than one state. Additionally, the bill would introduce six members representing special interest groups, further diversifying representation in the House.

Section 49 of the Constitution currently states: “Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the House of Representatives shall consist of three hundred and sixty members representing constituencies of nearly equal population as far as possible, provided that no constituency shall fall within more than one State.”

The bill proposes revising this section by replacing the words “three hundred and sixty members representing constituencies of nearly equal population as far as possible, provided that no constituency shall fall within more than one state” with “three hundred and sixty-six members representing constituencies of nearly equal population as far as possible, provided that no constituency shall fall within more than one state, and six members representing special interest groups.”

“There shall be established in the House of Representatives six special seats for each of the special interest groups, namely, women and persons living with disabilities, distributed evenly across the six geopolitical zones,” the bill states.

“Aspirants to these special seats shall meet all other qualifications for regular seats in the House of Representatives and shall be allowed to stand for election by an electoral college consisting of all members of the National Association of such a special group.

“The aspirants shall emerge through a process of election from the grassroots in each state, after which state candidates shall emerge through voting by the electoral college.

“There shall be a regional electoral college for each geopolitical zone, consisting of all the National Officers of the Association from the states within the zone, which shall determine the final persons to emerge as representatives for the special seats.

“The special seats shall be filled by persons of the respective special interest groups, and they shall serve for the same term and enjoy all benefits as other members of the House of Representatives.”

According to the bill, the amendment does not apply to the Senate.

Source: The Cable

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