The Senate has constituted a seven-member ad hoc committee to harmonise and distil senators’ inputs on the proposed amendment of the Electoral Act, as lawmakers intensify efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ashenews reports that the decision followed a three-hour closed-door executive session held on Thursday, during which senators further scrutinised the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill currently before the National Assembly.
Announcing the outcome of the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the committee was mandated to synthesise lawmakers’ views and address outstanding concerns on the bill.
“The committee is mandated to contribute, galvanise and distil the opinions of senators on the bill,” Akpabio said.
Akpabio said the panel would be chaired by Senator Niyi Adegbonmire, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.
Other members are Adamu Aliero, Aminu Tambuwal, Adams Oshiomhole, Danjuma Goje, Tony Nwoye and Titus Zam.
He added that the committee has a maximum of three days to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Senate by Tuesday.
The Senate had on Wednesday stepped down consideration of the report on the Electoral Act amendment bill to allow for deeper examination of the proposed legislation during an executive session.
The move followed deliberations on the report of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, which was presented in the absence of its chairman, Simon Lalong. Lawmakers agreed to suspend debate, citing the bill’s far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s electoral process.
Although the House of Representatives has already passed the bill, Akpabio stressed the need for thorough scrutiny before Senate concurrence.
“This is a very important bill, especially as it is election time. We must take our time to ensure justice is done to all, so that we do not end up at the tribunal,” he said.
According to the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, a clause-by-clause review shows that the proposed amendments would strengthen electoral integrity, enhance transparency and boost public confidence in the electoral system.
The committee recommended the passage of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2025, noting that the reforms would expand voter participation, curb electoral malpractice and strengthen the institutional capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Earlier, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele outlined key provisions of the bill, describing it as a major step towards improving electoral credibility and safeguarding institutional independence.
He said the proposed law introduces stiffer sanctions for electoral offences, including vote-buying, with penalties of up to ₦5m fine, two years’ imprisonment, and a 10-year ban from contesting elections.
Other provisions include tougher penalties for result falsification and obstruction of election officials, electronic transmission of polling unit results, and the introduction of electronically generated voter identification, including a downloadable voter card with a unique QR code.
Bamidele also disclosed that the bill recognises the voting rights of prisoners, mandates INEC to register eligible inmates, standardises delegates for indirect party primaries, and requires the release of election funds at least one year before polling day.
He said the reforms are aimed at guaranteeing credible, transparent and secure elections beginning with the 2027 general polls, subject to approval by at least two-thirds of state Houses of Assembly, in line with constitutional requirements.
“At the end of it all, good governance, enhanced security and the welfare of our constituents shall remain our cardinal objectives,” Bamidele said.
