Senate steps down Electoral Bill 2025 for more consultations
The Nigerian Senate has postponed the debate on the Electoral Bill 2025, choosing to step it down for further consultations. The decision was reached after the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, led by Senator Simon Lalong, presented the general principles of the bill. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, presiding over the session, expressed concern that the presentation lacked sufficient details, prompting calls for more comprehensive review. Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele supported the view that deeper consultation was necessary and argued against moving into an executive session that same day. Senators voted by voice to delay the bill’s consideration until another legislative day.
Senator Lalong had earlier described the bill as a broad reform effort intended to replace the Electoral Act of 2022 with legislation that would better regulate federal, state, and area council elections. Key aims mentioned included enhancing election credibility, improving transparency, and strengthening the regulatory powers of the Independent National Electoral Commission. The bill also seeks clearer frameworks for election financing, party primaries, timelines for candidate nominations, and digital solutions for results transmission.
The Senate’s move reflects tensions over electoral reform timing, legislative readiness, and the need for stakeholder engagement. Senate leaders say the bill must be incubated through thorough consultations to ensure its provisions are clear and acceptable to all parties. The amendment process is expected to be concluded by December 2025, with the revised electoral law being applied in the 2027 elections.
