The Nigerian Senate has temporarily stepped down consideration of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Amendment) Bill, 2025, following an intense debate on its general principles. The decision, according to Nivo News, was to allow for broader consultation and a more comprehensive review of the proposed reforms.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The bill, which seeks to repeal the Electoral Act 2022 and enact a new framework, aims to enhance transparency, strengthen the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and promote credible and inclusive elections. Among its proposed innovations are the introduction of digital result registers, QR-coded voter identification cards, and stricter deadlines for party primaries and result transmission.

Leading the debate, Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Simon Lalong, emphasized that the 2023 general elections exposed significant flaws in the electoral process despite the progress made under the 2022 Act. He highlighted issues such as delayed funding, disputes over voter registration, inconsistent interpretations of result transmission, and weak enforcement of electoral offences.

“The key objectives of this legislation are to ensure transparency, efficiency, and integrity in our electoral system while restoring public confidence in elections,” Lalong stated. He further noted that the proposed law would guarantee early release of election funds, continuous voter registration, and the use of technology to ensure credible results.

However, proceedings were briefly interrupted when Senator Emmanuel Udende (Benue North East) raised concerns that lawmakers had not received copies of the bill for proper examination. Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided at the time, clarified that the second reading focused only on the general principles of the bill, with detailed scrutiny reserved for the committee stage.

Several senators, including Titus Zam (Benue North West) and Binos Yaroe (Adamawa), supported the bill, describing it as crucial for deepening Nigeria’s democracy. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele disclosed that both Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters had been working on the draft for over a year and had recently held a public hearing.

Nonetheless, some lawmakers raised concerns about certain provisions. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who later took the chair, shared his personal experience from the 2019 elections, arguing that reforms must ensure INEC’s accountability in cases of electoral misconduct. He also cautioned that prolonged campaign periods disrupt governance, saying, “In a four-year term, government effectiveness suffers when ministers and public officers spend almost a year campaigning.”

At the end of deliberations, the Senate agreed that more clarity and consensus were required before the bill could progress. A motion to step down the legislation was moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and seconded by Minority Leader Abba Moro. The motion was unanimously adopted.

Bamidele explained that the delay would allow senators to engage stakeholders more extensively to ensure that the amendments reflect the aspirations of Nigerians. Senate President Akpabio added that while the bill seeks to modernize Nigeria’s electoral process, lawmakers must move forward with a shared understanding of its core objectives.