The Nigerian Senate has taken swift action to fast-track the passage of the Electoral Act 2022 (Amendment) Bill, amid public criticism that the upper chamber had been delaying the process.
Following an executive session, the Senate set up a seven-member ad hoc committee to scrutinize the proposed amendments. The panel has a 48-hour deadline to review the documents before the bill undergoes clause-by-clause consideration in plenary on Tuesday.
The amendment is considered critical to preparations for the 2027 general elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to issue the presidential election notification next month, exactly one year before the election date, as provided by the existing Electoral Act.
Although the House of Representatives passed its version of the amendment in December, Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasized the need for careful harmonization of differing positions to ensure a final, coherent copy is transmitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent.
The ad hoc panel includes Senators Adamu Aliero, Aminu Tambuwal, Adams Oshiomhole, Danjuma Goje, Tony Nwoye, and Titus Zam, with Senate Clerk Emmanuel Odo as secretary. The committee will collaborate with the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters, chaired by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, to resolve contentious issues.
Key proposed amendments focus on enhancing transparency, preventing electoral fraud, and strengthening INEC’s capacity. These include:
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Electronic transmission of results: INEC will be required to transmit election results from polling units directly to the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IREV) in real time alongside physical collation.
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Anti-fraud measures: New provisions make it an offence for presiding officers to fail to sign and stamp ballots and results, with tougher penalties for vote-buying and PVC misuse.
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Voting access for persons with disabilities: Political party agents, candidates, and officials are barred from accompanying visually impaired or incapacitated voters into voting compartments.
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Updated technology: “Smart card reader” references have been replaced with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to reflect current practice.
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Candidate and party regulations: Submissions of candidate lists, affidavits, and withdrawals must follow stricter procedures; indirect primaries are reformed to broaden participation; political appointees are barred from acting as delegates or aspirants.
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Campaign finance and penalties: Spending limits for all elective positions have been increased, with stiffer penalties for forgery, over-voting, or non-compliance with the law. Notably, forgery of nomination papers now carries a 10-year jail term or a N75 million fine.
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Internal party rules: Only members listed in party registers submitted to INEC may vote or be voted for in primaries, and courts are restricted from interfering in party internal affairs.
The Senate adjourned plenary until Tuesday, awaiting the panel’s report. Once completed, the bill will be harmonized and prepared for transmission to the President for assent, ensuring legal clarity and electoral integrity ahead of the 2027 elections.
