•Nigerian Senate
The Senate, yesterday, postponed consideration of the proposed Electoral Act Amendment Bill, giving lawmakers extra time to study the document ahead of the nation’s 2027 general elections.
Copies of the bill were distributed to senators yesterday, prompting the upper chamber to allow an additional 24 hours for familiarisation with its provisions, reports The Guardian.
It will, however, be debated today.
This was as the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room staged a peaceful protest at the entrance of the National Assembly to demand the immediate passage of the Electoral Amendment Bill by the Senate.
The proposed amendments seek to update the Electoral Act 2022 and introduce key reforms to strengthen the electoral process in the country.
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.
At yesterday’s plenary, the Senate was unable to take up the report from its Committee on Electoral Matters because the committee chairman was absent.
Consequently, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced that the debate would be deferred until today, so that all lawmakers would have sufficient time to review and understand the bill.
The Co-Convener of the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, Mma Odi, while addressing journalists, yesterday, warned that the delay by the Senate in passing the bill could negatively affect preparations for the 2027 general elections.
She said: “We are here with other citizens to 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 elections one year ahead. February marks exactly one year to the elections. 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.” She stated
The CSO leader criticised lawmakers for failing to address the hardship faced by Nigerians since assuming office, saying that passing the bill would be a positive step in demonstrating commitment to the public interest.
A member of the Situation Room, Bukola Odogwu, also urged the Senate to expedite the passage of the Electoral Amendment bill, saying it had been at the Senate for three years and wondering why it should take such a long time to amend the Electoral Act.
