October 16, (THEWILL) — The Nigerian Senate, on Thursday, suspended debate on the proposed amendment of the Electoral Act 2022, citing the need for clearer details on the provisions to be altered.
The bill, presented by Senator Simon Lalong (Plateau South), aims to restructure the nation’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, disagreements surfaced during plenary over the absence of specifics in the proposed changes.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio warned against rushing into legislation without clarity. In a personal reflection, he recalled his controversial 2019 senatorial contest, describing it as a painful lesson on how electoral laws could be misapplied.
“We must know exactly what we are amending. My experience in 2019 shows the dangers of leaving grey areas in the law”, Akpabio said.
Akpabio also criticised Nigeria’s lengthy election timetable, arguing that extended campaigns and delayed transitions shorten the effective tenure of elected officials.
To ease tensions, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), moved a motion to step down further debate until the Electoral Matters Committee presents a more comprehensive breakdown of the proposed amendments. The motion was unanimously adopted.
Key reforms under consideration include moving presidential and governorship elections to November of the preceding year, giving legal force to electronic transmission of results, enabling diaspora voting, and creating an Electoral Offences Commission to prosecute election-related crimes.
Lawmakers are expected to revisit the bill once further clarification is provided.
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