The Senate has set up a seven-man ad hoc committee to consolidate and refine senators’ contributions to the proposed amendment of Nigeria’s Electoral Act, as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The decision was reached after lawmakers held a closed-door executive session lasting over three hours on Thursday, where the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill currently before the National Assembly was subjected to further scrutiny.
Speaking after the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio disclosed that the newly constituted committee would harmonise divergent views and resolve outstanding issues surrounding the bill. According to him, the panel’s task is to “collate, synthesise and distil the opinions of senators” to ensure a robust and widely accepted amendment process.
Akpabio named Senator Niyi Adegbonmire, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, as chairman of the ad hoc committee. Other members include Senators Adamu Aliero, Aminu Tambuwal, Adams Oshiomhole, Danjuma Goje, Tony Nwoye and Titus Zam.
He added that the committee has been given a tight deadline of three days and is expected to submit its report to the Senate by Tuesday.
The move follows the Senate’s decision on Wednesday to suspend consideration of the Electoral Act amendment report in order to allow for more in-depth deliberation. This came after debate began on the report of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, which was presented without its chairman, Senator Simon Lalong.
Given the far-reaching implications of the proposed reforms, lawmakers agreed that additional examination was necessary before proceeding. Although the House of Representatives has already passed the bill, Akpabio emphasised that the Senate must exercise due diligence before concurring.
“This is a critical piece of legislation, especially with elections approaching. We must be thorough so that we do not create problems that will later end up at the election tribunals,” he said.
The Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, following a clause-by-clause review, concluded that the proposed amendments would significantly improve electoral integrity, transparency and public trust in Nigeria’s democratic process. The committee therefore recommended the passage of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2025.
Earlier, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele highlighted key components of the bill, describing it as a major reform package designed to enhance electoral credibility and protect institutional independence.
Among the proposed changes are tougher penalties for electoral offences such as vote-buying, which could attract fines of up to ₦5 million, a two-year jail term, and a 10-year ban from contesting elections. The bill also prescribes stiffer sanctions for result manipulation and the obstruction of election officials.
Other notable provisions include the electronic transmission of polling unit results, the introduction of electronically generated voter identification, and a downloadable voter card embedded with a unique QR code.
Bamidele also revealed that the bill seeks to extend voting rights to prisoners by mandating the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register eligible inmates. It further aims to standardise the number of delegates for indirect party primaries and ensure that election funds are released at least one year before polling day.
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According to him, the reforms are designed to deliver transparent, credible and secure elections starting from the 2027 general polls, subject to approval by at least two-thirds of the state Houses of Assembly, as required by the Constitution.
“At the end of the process, our focus remains good governance, improved security and the welfare of the Nigerian people,” Bamidele said.
