Section 79

(1) The Commission shall keep a register of symbols and name for use at elections.

(2) The Commission shall register the symbol and name of a political party if it is satisfied that—

(a) no other symbol and name of the same design is registered;

(b) the symbol and name is distinctive from any other symbol already registered; and

(c) its use will not be offensive or otherwise objectionable.

(3) The Commission shall remove a symbol or name from the register of symbols and names if the Commission is of the opinion that the political party in whose name the symbol is registered has ceased to exist or to use the symbol “and names”.

(4) Nothing in this section shall authorise the allotment or registration for use at any election of a symbol or material as symbol of a party, if it portrays—

(a) the Coat of Arms of the Federation;

(b) the Coat of Arms of any other country;

(c) a device or emblem which in the opinion of the Commission is normally associated with—

(i) the official acts of Government,

(ii) any of the Armed Forces of the Federation or the Nigeria Police Force or other uniformed service,

(iii) the regalia of a Chief,

(iv) any tribe or ethnic group,

(v) any religion or cult, or

(vi) any portrait of a person living or dead; or

(d) any symbol or part of a symbol which under the provision of this section continues to be registered by another political party.

(5) Subject to the provisions of this section, the symbol allotted to a political party and in use immediately before the coming into force of this Act shall continue to be available to, and be used by, that political party without payment of the fee.

(6) Where a political party is deregistered, no political association shall be permitted to use the name, symbol, logo or acronym of the deregistered political party within five years of deregistration.