Nigerian Senate Reconsiders Electoral Bill

The Nigerian Senate has convened an emergency session to reconsider the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026, following Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele’s call for a motion to rescind and recommit the bill, citing discrepancies and logistical issues in the 2027 general election timetable.

The Senate is reviewing Clause 28 of the bill, which mandates 360 days’ notice for elections. The current 360-day notice period has raised concerns among lawmakers, as it would coincide with the holy month of Ramadan and the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

This overlap could potentially reduce voter turnout and create logistical challenges for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Bamidele emphasised the need for a practical resolution to avoid complications during this crucial period.

Some members of the House of Representatives walked out of plenary on Tuesday in protest against a motion to rescind the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment bill.. Credit: Punch

Beyond the timing issue, Bamidele revealed that the technical committee had identified several inconsistencies in the bill, including errors in cross-referencing, serial numbering, and internal consistency across more than 20 clauses.

One of the major concerns is the controversial Clause 60, which deals with result transmission. Lawmakers are determined to address these anomalies to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

While the session’s primary concern is the Ramadan clash, concerned Nigerians and civil society groups gathered outside the National Assembly are also pushing for the inclusion of a mandatory “real-time” electronic transmission clause.

As the Senate moved into a closed-door session to continue deliberations, the nation watches closely to ensure the bill is thoroughly reviewed before being sent to the president for signature.

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Tope Oke

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