The Nigerian Senate’s special committee on electoral reforms has recommended the passage of a comprehensive amendment bill, concluding that the proposed changes would significantly strengthen Nigeria’s electoral integrity, enhance transparency, and rebuild public confidence in the democratic process.
Following a clause-by-clause review, the seven-member ad hoc committee reported that the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2025 would expand voter participation, curb widespread malpractice, and bolster the institutional capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele outlined key provisions of the bill ahead of the panel’s final deliberations. He maintained that the reforms are designed to substantially improve electoral credibility and safeguard institutional independence.
Among the landmark changes are significantly tougher penalties for electoral offences. The bill introduces fines of up to five million naira, a two-year jail term, and a ten-year ban from contesting elections for crimes such as vote-buying. It also prescribes stiffer punishment for the falsification of results and obstruction of election officials.
Critically, the proposed law mandates the electronic transmission of polling unit results in real-time and introduces a new system of electronically generated voter identification. This includes a downloadable voter card embedded with a unique QR code for verification, aimed at reducing fraud and streamlining the voting process.
With the committee’s report now submitted, the Senate is poised for a final debate on the bill next week.
The Senate President Godswill Akpabio warned that thoroughness is essential to avoid future legal challenges that could “end up at the tribunal.”
