Section 81 Nigerian Electoral Act
Section 81 Electoral Act 2022 is about Merger of political parties. It is under Part V (Political Parties) of the Act.
(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.
