The Senate on Thursday constituted a seven-member ad hoc committee to review and harmonise lawmakers’ views on the proposed amendment of the Electoral Act. The decision was taken after a three-hour closed-door executive session at the National Assembly in Abuja.
The committee was formed to study the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill and resolve issues raised by senators before the bill is passed. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision after the session, stating that the panel would bring together all inputs from senators and address remaining concerns in the draft law.
The committee is chaired by Senator Niyi Adegbonmire, who heads the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters. Other members are Senators Adamu Aliero, Aminu Tambuwal, Adams Oshiomhole, Danjuma Goje, Tony Nwoye, and Titus Zam.
The Senate President directed the committee to complete its assignment within three days and submit its report by Tuesday. He explained that lawmakers decided to suspend debate on the bill to allow more time for careful review due to its impact on the country’s electoral system.
Earlier, the Senate had stepped down consideration of the report from the Committee on Electoral Matters, which was presented in the absence of its chairman. Lawmakers agreed that further examination was needed before taking a final decision, even though the House of Representatives had already passed the bill.
The proposed amendments include stricter penalties for electoral offences such as vote-buying and result manipulation. The bill also provides for electronic transmission of election results, electronic voter identification, and the registration of eligible inmates to vote.
In addition, the amendments seek to standardise delegates for party primaries and require the release of election funds at least one year before elections. The Senate noted that the reforms are intended to support credible and orderly elections starting from the 2027 general polls, subject to approval by state Houses of Assembly as required by the Constitution.
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