The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday postponed final action on the proposed amendments to the Electoral Act, holding a closed-door session that lasted over four hours without producing a clear outcome. Lawmakers met in private to discuss the report of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters and recommendations from a seven-member ad hoc committee created last week to resolve disputes over the bill.
The session began shortly after 1:00 pm and continued until around 5:35 pm, with senators reviewing clauses of the bill behind closed doors. No details were disclosed to the public when plenary resumed, leaving the Electoral Act amendment in uncertainty for the second consecutive sitting. The Senate President gave a brief statement on the proceedings but did not provide specifics about decisions or timelines for the bill’s passage.
The bill seeks to address gaps identified in previous elections, prevent electoral malpractice, and improve public confidence in Nigeria’s voting system ahead of the 2027 general elections. Key proposals include real-time electronic transmission of results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission portal, stricter penalties for electoral offences, updated technology references, and protections for vulnerable voters.
The ad hoc committee, chaired by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, includes senators from various regions and was tasked with reconciling differences among lawmakers and finalizing outstanding sections of the legislation. Opposition parties, such as the Labour Party, New Nigeria People’s Party, and African Democratic Congress, have expressed concern over delays, warning that they could reduce trust in the 2027 elections.
The Senate affirmed that the ad hoc committee would continue working to complete its review and promised that lawmakers would resume efforts to conclude the bill soon.
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