Concerns mount over NASS’ delayed passage of amended Electoral Act

 

As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 general election, growing concerns are mounting over delays in the passage of the amended Electoral Act by the National Assembly, with stakeholders warning that further delay could jeopardise electoral credibility and effective planning by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC

Although the House of Representatives has passed the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, the Senate is yet to complete legislative action, just about a year to the general election.

The situation has raised fears among the political class, civil society groups and election observers that critical reforms expected to enhance the credibility of Nigeria’s elections may not be implemented in time for the next polls.

Electronic transmission central to reform debate

Among the most discussed proposals is the electronic transmission of election results, a measure widely seen as crucial to enhancing transparency, reducing disputes and boosting public confidence in the electoral system.

During the Senate plenary last week, the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room staged a peaceful protest at the entrance of the National Assembly, demanding the immediate passage of the Electoral Amendment Bill by the Senate.

CSO leaders criticised lawmakers for failing to act, noting that the bill has been with the Senate for the past three years.

Although the Senate leadership has maintained that careful scrutiny of the bill was necessary to ensure comprehensive reforms and avoid legal loopholes, lawmakers insist the amendment process must balance speed with thoroughness.

However, many Nigerians say they expected the upper chamber of the National Assembly to take the amendment and passage of the 2022 Electoral Act more seriously in order to avoid the controversy and disputes that trailed the conduct and release of results during the last general election.

“If the Senate does not pass this bill and transmit it to the President for assent, it will create serious problems for INEC’s planning,” Mma Odi, co-convener of the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, said.

Odi warned that the delay by the Senate could negatively affect preparations for the 2027 general election.

According to her, “We ask the Senate to stop the delay and pass the Electoral Amendment Bill. There should be no more delay.

“INEC is required to release the timetable for the 2027 general election one year ahead. February marks exactly one year to the elections.”

Analysts call for early legal certainty

Political analysts say early passage of the amended Act was essential to provide legal certainty, particularly on contentious issues such as electronic transmission of results, early voting, nomination processes and sanctions for electoral offences.

Former INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega, said electoral laws must be finalised well ahead of elections to allow the commission sufficient time for planning, voter education and logistics.

He repeatedly warned that last-minute changes to electoral laws often create confusion and open the process to avoidable legal disputes.

INEC itself has also stressed the need for timely legislative clarity. The commission is required to issue notices of election and commence key preparatory activities long before polling day, a process that could be disrupted if amendments are delayed

Politicians question Senate’s motives

Politicians who spoke with BusinessDaySunday wondered why the Senate was delaying the amendment of the Electoral Act, saying prolonged legislative hesitation undermines public confidence in the democratic process.

“The delay is unnecessary. This is a process that began over two years ago. I thought it would be completed by now,” said Dapo Odunlami, a politician.

“When is the President going to sign? We all saw the controversy these issues and the push for amendments created during the last general election, and then they passed it late. It’s shameful that we put personal interest above the collective good of the nation,” he added.

Civil Society warns of weak accountability.

The Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, a coalition of election monitoring groups, says uncertainty around the legal framework could weaken accountability and repeat flaws witnessed in previous elections.

“The credibility of elections depends largely on the strength and clarity of the legal framework guiding them,” said Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, executive director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).

“Delays in reforming the Electoral Act send the wrong signal to citizens and the international community.”

Osaze-Uzzi alleges deliberate stalling by Senate

Former Director of Voter Education and Publicity at INEC, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, has alleged that the Nigerian Senate was deliberately delaying the passage of the Electoral Act.

In ana recent interview, Osaze-Uzzi said there was circumstantial evidence to support claims that lawmakers were intentionally stalling the process.

He added that the consequence of the delay was that Nigeria may be forced to rely on the Electoral Act 2022, which he noted contained significant flaws.

He further argued that with the 2027 election just around the corner, such anomalies should be corrected well ahead of the polls.

“Evidence shows the Senate is deliberately delaying the passage of the Electoral Act…,” Osaze-Uzzi said.

The former INEC director stressed that the last time the National Assembly passed the Electoral Act, lawmakers later discovered that certain statutory delegates who ought to have participated in party conventions were excluded.

“They tried to send it back to then President Muhammadu Buhari for amendment but failed because of the closeness to the 2023 election,” he said.

Lawmakers seen as beneficiaries of status quo

Political analysts noted that gaps in the current Electoral Act contributed to disputes during the 2023 election and insist that unresolved ambiguities must be addressed ahead of 2027 to prevent a recurrence.

Despite assurances from lawmakers, analysts warn that excessive delay could prove costly.

“Conducting elections with the current Act will lead to controversy, just like we saw in 2023,” said Temitope Musowo.

Musowo added that many lawmakers are beneficiaries of the current system and may not be keen to make the necessary changes.

Read also: Senate defers consideration of Electoral Act Bill, moves deliberations to closed session

Senate moves to harmonise views on Electoral Act Amendment Bill

Last Thursday, the Senate constituted a seven-man committee to collate, harmonise and distil lawmakers’ contributions and opinions on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026, with a mandate to present a consolidated report to the chamber next Tuesday.

The decision followed over two hours of consideration of the bill’s provisions during a closed-door session.

The committee is chaired by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Niyi Adegbomore.

Other members are Senators Adamu Aliero, Aminu Tambuwal, Adams Oshiomhole, Danjuma Goje, Tony Nwoye and Titus Zam.

The committee has been given three days to conclude its assignment and submit its report for consideration at the next plenary session scheduled for next week.

The Senate had, last Thursday, commenced consideration of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2026, moving into a closed-door session to review documents submitted by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Simon Lalong.