The Senate has established a seven-member ad hoc committee to synthesize and refine lawmakers’ contributions to the proposed Electoral Act amendment, as the National Assembly fast-tracks reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This move followed a three-hour executive session on Thursday, January 29, 2026, during which the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill was further scrutinized.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced that the panel is “mandated to contribute, galvanise and distil the opinion of senators on the bill.”
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The committee is chaired by Niyi Adegbonmire and includes high-profile senators Adamu Aliero, Aminu Tambuwal, Adams Oshiomhole, Danjuma Goje, Tony Nwoye, and Titus Zam.
Akpabio emphasized the need for careful deliberation to avoid post-election legal battles, stating: “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.”
The ad hoc committee has been given a three-day deadline to submit its report.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele highlighted several transformative measures intended to bolster electoral integrity, including stiffer penalties for crimes such as vote-buying, which would attract fines of up to N5m, a two-year prison sentence, and a 10-year ban from contesting elections.
Digital innovations are also a major part of the bill, which introduces “electronically generated voter identification — including a downloadable voter card with a unique QR code” and mandates the electronic transmission of polling unit results.
For the first time, the bill recognizes the rights of prisoners to vote and mandates INEC to register eligible inmates, while also requiring the release of election funds at least one year before the polls.
The Senate Committee on Electoral Matters noted that these reforms aim to “expand voter participation, curb electoral malpractice and strengthen the institutional capacity” of the electoral body.
Bamidele concluded that these objectives are designed to ensure that “good governance, enhanced security and the welfare of our constituents shall remain our cardinal objectives.”
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