When the National Assembly adjourned for its two-week recess last week, it left behind more than just unfinished business, it left a cloud of uncertainty hanging over Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
At the heart of the drama is the Electoral Bill, 2025 — a sweeping set of proposed amendments to the Electoral Act 2022. Lawmakers say the changes are critical to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and curbing long-standing electoral malpractices. But with time running out, critics warn that delay and half-measures could do more harm than good.
A Bill Meant to Fix What Broke in 2023
The House of Representatives wrapped its deliberations on the bill late last year and forwarded it to the Senate. But key clauses — including those aimed at preventing multiple party registrations and clarifying penalties for electoral offences — have been sent back for re-work.
That pause, according to some analysts, isn’t just procedural — it could imperil preparations for the nation’s next electoral cycle.
“The late passage of the bill and its late assent created fear, trepidation and uncertainty regarding the electoral framework for the 2023 general election,” cautioned Festus Okoye, a former national commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Unpacking the Stakes
The bill is far from cosmetic. Among its most significant proposals are:
- Digital accountability: Mandating real-time electronic transmission of polling unit results — a technological leap intended to reduce manipulation and improve transparency.
- Tougher sanctions: Stiffer penalties for vote buying, misreporting results, and electoral fraud — including fines, jail terms, and bans from contesting future elections.
- Membership reform: Political parties would now be required to maintain digital membership registers, submitted to INEC ahead of primaries, with eligibility tied to documented membership lists.
- Campaign finance overhaul: Substantial increases in campaign spending limits reflect current economic realities — but they also raise questions about money’s role in politics.
The Clock Ticks
Perhaps the most pressing worry is the timing.
According to Section 28(1) of the current Electoral Act 2022, INEC must publish election notices well ahead of the polls — at least 360 days before election day. If the amended law isn’t finalised and gazetted soon, INEC could find itself without the clear legal framework it needs to plan effectively.
“In 2022, when the law was signed into law by the president on February 25, we still had implementation problems because there were ambiguities in the law,” a civic education expert reminded reporters — illustrating how even well-intended laws can falter without clarity and preparation.
Voices of Concern
Some political scientists worry that slow legislative action could lead to rushed compromises or half-baked clauses that do little to restore public trust.
“I think Nigerians have reasons to be afraid,” said Dr. Kabir Mato, pointing to the need for urgent action and public awareness to shape sound legislation — not just quick fixes.
Even former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has weighed in, arguing that dragging out the process could “undermine confidence in the nation’s electoral system” and calling on the Senate to fast-track final passage and send the bill for presidential assent.
The Road Ahead
For all its technical detail and high-stakes clauses, the debate over the Electoral Bill is, at its core, about trust — trust in the institutions that deliver elections, and trust in the rules that make votes count.
With each day that passes, Nigerians, political parties, and civil society groups watch closely — aware that this legislation will not just regulate how elections are run, but shape how the next chapter of the nation’s democratic story is written.
