Abuja — The Senate has deferred consideration of the report of its Committee on Electoral Matters on the proposed Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026, following the absence of the committee’s chairman, Senator Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South).
The report, listed on Wednesday’s Order Paper, could not be taken despite the circulation of its 238-page document to lawmakers. The postponement was deemed necessary to allow senators adequate time to study the report ahead of detailed deliberations.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) informed the chamber that consideration of the report would be shifted to Thursday, noting that although copies had been distributed, the committee chairman was not immediately available to lead the presentation.
With the approval of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Bamidele also disclosed that a brief closed-door session would precede the clause-by-clause consideration of the bill at the Committee of the Whole.
“This is a very sensitive legislation. Senators should go home, study the report thoroughly, and we will engage critically with the key provisions tomorrow,” Bamidele said.
Akpabio echoed the call for caution, urging lawmakers not to rush the process.
“We will take our time and ensure justice is done to all and sundry,” the Senate President stated.
Key Proposals in the Electoral Act Amendment
The proposed legislation contains far-reaching reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections. Among the major recommendations are:
- Mandatory electronic transmission of election results from polling units to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) in real time, to be done simultaneously with physical collation.
- Stiffer penalties for electoral offences, including failure of presiding officers to sign and stamp ballot papers and result sheets.
- Replacement of the term “Smart Card Reader” with “Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS)” in the law.
- Prohibition of political party agents, candidates, or officials from accompanying visually impaired or incapacitated voters into voting cubicles.
- Increase in fines for buying or selling voter cards from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million.
According to the committee’s report, the bill seeks to enhance transparency, integrity, efficiency, and public confidence in the electoral process, while strengthening the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The report also noted that stakeholders overwhelmingly supported the bill, describing it as a necessary response to gaps observed in the implementation of the current Electoral Act.
Senators are expected to resume consideration of the report on Thursday, beginning with a closed-door session before full debate in plenary.
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