1. Bill Passed After Deliberation
The Senate passed the Electoral Act amendment bill following a detailed five-hour clause-by-clause review of all 155 clauses.
2. Timeline for Election Notices Reduced
Lawmakers reduced the timeline for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish a notice of election from 360 days to 180 days before an election.
3. Electronic Transmission Retained, Real-Time Transmission Rejected
The Senate chose not to adopt real-time electronic transmission of election results.
Instead, it retained the provision for electronic transfer of results as already in the 2002 Electoral Act, which INEC used during previous elections.
4. Clarification by Senate Leadership
Senate President Godswill Akpabio clarified that electronic transmission was not removed from the law, stating that the chamber simply preserved the existing provision.
5. Harmonisation Committee Set Up
A joint committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives will now meet to harmonise the versions of the bill passed by both chambers before sending it to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
6. Committee Leadership
The harmonisation team will be co-chaired by Niyi Adegbonmire from the Senate side alongside members including Tahir Monguno, Adamu Aliero, Orji Kalu, Abba Moro, Asuquo Ekpeyong, Aminu Abass, Tokunbo Abiru, and Simon Lalong.
Why Nigerians Must Occupy the National Assembly: Reclaiming Electoral Reform
Nigeria’s failure to achieve credible electoral reform is not accidental; it is legislative sabotage. For years, the National Assembly has been dominated by beneficiaries of flawed elections—individuals with no incentive to reform a system that guarantees their political survival. This is why key reforms such as mandatory electronic transmission of results, transparent collation, and strict penalties for electoral fraud are routinely weakened or rejected.
Nigerians must therefore rise to occupy the National Assembly, not as spectators but as lawmakers. Electoral reform cannot be delivered by those who profit from electoral manipulation. It requires legislators who emerged from the people, believe in the power of the vote, and are committed to building a system where elections truly reflect the will of citizens.
Until credible Nigerians take their place in the legislature, democracy will remain transactional, voter apathy will deepen, and bad leadership will continue to recycle itself. Electoral reform is a legislative responsibility, and reclaiming the National Assembly is the first step toward reclaiming Nigeria’s democracy.
