House of Representatives (Nigeria) facts for kids
The House of Representatives is an important part of Nigeria's government. It is like one of the two main groups that make laws for the country. This system, with two groups, is called a bicameral (say: bye-KAM-er-al) legislature. The House of Representatives is the "lower chamber," and the other group, the Senate, is the "upper chamber." Together, they form the National Assembly of Nigeria.
The House of Representatives has 360 members. These members are chosen by people across Nigeria. Each member represents a specific area called a constituency. They are elected using a system where the person with the most votes wins, even if they don't get more than half of all votes. This is often called the "first-past-the-post" system. Once elected, members serve for four years. The leader of the House of Representatives is called the Speaker. They make sure meetings run smoothly and everyone follows the rules.
What is the House of Representatives?
The House of Representatives is a key part of how Nigeria is governed. Think of it as a large team of people who work together to create and approve laws. These laws affect everyone in Nigeria. It is called the "lower chamber" because it usually has more members and represents smaller areas of the country.
How Members are Chosen
There are 360 members in the House of Representatives. Each member is elected from a specific area. These areas are called constituencies. For example, a state might be divided into several constituencies. People living in each constituency vote for one person to represent them.
The election system used is called "first-past-the-post." This means that the candidate who gets the most votes in their constituency wins the election. They don't need to get more than half of all the votes. This system is used in many countries around the world.
Serving the People
Once elected, members of the House of Representatives serve for a period of four years. During this time, their main job is to represent the people who voted for them. They bring up issues and concerns from their constituencies. They also debate and vote on new laws.
The Speaker is the leader of the House. They are chosen by the members themselves. The Speaker's job is to manage the daily activities of the House. They make sure debates are fair and that all members follow the rules of the House.
