Reps introduce bill to enhance representation for women and individuals with disabilities. 

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A bill to amend Section 49 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) has been introduced by the House of Representatives so as to allocate six special seats for women and persons living with disabilities (PWDs).   .

The bill, with the theme “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) (Six Special Seats for Special Interest Groups) Bill, 2024 (HB.1811),” was offered for its first reading during plenary on Wednesday.

Being sponsored by the House Spokesman Akintunde Rotimi (Ekiti-APC), the suggested amendment seeks to increase the total number of representatives in the House from 360 to 366, with the six extra seats reserved specifically for women and PWDs.

According to the bill, these special seats would be circulated evenly across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, ensuring one representative from each group per region. Candidates for these seats must meet all qualifications required for regular House members.

The bill also proposes that elections for these roles would be conducted through an electoral college made up of members from the National Associations of each special group, with input from grassroots and regional levels in a multi-tiered election process.

Adding that, once elected, the representatives would serve the same term as other House members and receive equivalent benefits, as outlined in the bill.

Akintunde further detailed that the bill aims to enhance representation for women and individuals with disabilities, who often face significant barriers to political participation.

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