JUST IN: Senate Postpones Action On Electoral Act Bill

The Senate on Wednesday, January 28, deferred consideration of the report on the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026, resolving to reconvene in an executive session to closely examine the proposed legislation before taking a final decision.

Naijaonpoint reports that the decision followed deliberations on the report of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters during plenary, which was held in the absence of the committee’s chairman, Senator Simon Lalong.

Lawmakers agreed to step down debate on the report to allow senators adequate time to study the bill in detail, with consideration now expected to resume on Thursday.

As part of the decision, the Senate also scheduled an executive session to enable closed-door discussions on sensitive provisions of the proposed electoral reforms.

Although the House of Representatives has already passed the bill, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, stressed the need for thorough scrutiny by the upper chamber, given the far-reaching implications of the legislation for Nigeria’s electoral process.

“This is a very important bill, especially as it is election time. We must take our time to ensure justice is done to all, so that we do not end up at the tribunal,” Akpabio said.

According to the report of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, a clause-by-clause analysis of the bill revealed that its passage would leave Nigerians with a lasting legacy of electoral integrity.

The committee noted that the proposed legislation would enhance transparency, boost public confidence in the electoral system and address key gaps in the existing legal framework.

The committee therefore recommended that the Senate consider and pass the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2025, as amended.

It added that the reforms would expand voter participation, safeguard against electoral fraud and strengthen the institutional capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

With the Senate’s decision to step down debate, attention now shifts to Thursday, when lawmakers are expected to resume consideration of the bill after further scrutiny.