Senate Delay on Electoral Act Amendment Risks 2027 Polls – Situation Room

By: Aremu Toyeebaht

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has condemned the Senate’s delay in concluding work on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, warning that the setback could undermine preparations for the 2027 General Election.

Briefing Journalist on Tuesday in Abuja, Convener of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Yunusa Ya’u, expressed concern that the National Assembly failed to pass the bill in 2025, despite its importance to Nigeria’s electoral reform process.

He said the House of Representatives passed the bill at third reading on December 23, 2025 after extensive deliberations. The proposed amendment seeks to address gaps identified in recent elections, including clearer provisions for electronic transmission of results, early voting, and stricter penalties for electoral offences.

However, the Senate has yet to conclude action on the bill. Although it passed second reading in the Senate on 22 October 2025, the legislation was stepped down over procedural issues and was not returned for final consideration before the Senate adjourned for its end-of-year recess.

Situation Room described the delay as unacceptable, noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is legally required to issue its Notice of Election in February 2026.
According to the group, failure to pass and transmit the bill for presidential assent well ahead of this deadline could disrupt INEC’s planning, voter education, and implementation of electoral reforms for the 2027 polls.

The coalition also recalled that delays by the National Assembly contributed to the late transmission of the 2022 Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which affected its timely assent.

It further criticised the prolonged legislative recess, arguing that legislatures in other democracies continue to sit when urgent national matters remain unresolved.

Situation Room warned that continued legislative inaction could create uncertainty in the electoral legal framework, weaken voter education, delay INEC’s operational planning, and increase the risk of disputes close to the election period.

While acknowledging assurances by Senate leadership that the bill would be prioritised upon resumption, the group stressed that action was more important than promises.

The organisation called on the Senate to immediately prioritise and pass the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill when it resumes on 27 January 2026 and ensure its prompt transmission to the President for assent.