The Senate has inaugurated a seven-member ad hoc committee to consolidate and refine senators’ inputs on proposed amendments to the Electoral Act, as lawmakers intensify preparations to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The decision followed a three-hour closed-door executive session on Thursday, during which senators scrutinised the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill currently before the National Assembly.
Announcing the outcome, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the committee is tasked with synthesising lawmakers’ views and addressing outstanding concerns on the bill. “The panel is mandated to contribute, galvanise and distil the opinion of senators on the bill,” he said.
The committee will be chaired by Niyi Adegbonmire, chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters. Other members include Adamu Aliero, Aminu Tambuwal, Adams Oshiomhole, Danjuma Goje, Tony Nwoye, and Titus Zam.
Akpabio added that the panel has a maximum of three days to conclude its assignment and submit its report to the Senate by Tuesday.
The Senate had on Wednesday postponed consideration of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, opting instead for an executive session to allow more in-depth review. The move followed deliberations on the report of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, presented in the absence of its chairman, Simon Lalong.
Lawmakers agreed to suspend debate to give senators additional time to study the bill, citing its far-reaching impact on Nigeria’s electoral process. Although the House of Representatives has already passed the bill, Akpabio stressed the importance of due diligence in the Senate before concurrence. “This is a very important bill, especially as it is election time. We must take our time to ensure justice is done to all, so that we do not end up at the tribunal,” he said.
The Senate Committee on Electoral Matters’ report highlights that a clause-by-clause review of the bill would strengthen electoral integrity, enhance transparency, and boost public confidence in the voting system. The committee recommended the passage of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2025, as amended, noting that the reforms would expand voter participation, curb malpractice, and strengthen INEC’s institutional capacity.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele outlined key components of the proposed amendments, describing the bill as a major step toward improving electoral credibility and safeguarding institutional independence. The bill introduces stiffer sanctions for offences such as vote-buying, including fines of up to N5 million, a two-year jail term, and a 10-year ban from contesting elections.
Other provisions include tougher penalties for result falsification and obstruction of election officials, electronically generated voter identification with a unique QR code, mandatory electronic transmission of polling unit results, recognition of prisoners’ voting rights, registration of eligible inmates by INEC, standardisation of delegates for indirect party primaries, and release of election funds at least one year before polling day.
According to Bamidele, the reforms are designed to guarantee credible, transparent, and secure elections starting with the 2027 general polls, subject to approval by at least two-thirds of state Houses of Assembly. “At the end of it all, good governance, enhanced security and the welfare of our constituents shall remain our cardinal objectives,” he said.
Elijah Adeyemi
