The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has expressed concern over the Senate’s delay in finalizing the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, the group’s Convener, Yunusa Ya’u, pointed out that while the House of Representatives has already passed the bill, the Senate is yet to follow suit.
Ya’u urged the upper chamber to prioritize the legislation and ensure its passage immediately upon reconvening on January 27.
He warned that any further postponement threatens the nation’s electoral reform efforts and could derail essential preparations for the 2027 general elections.
“The House of Representatives passed the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill at its third reading on Dec. 23, 2025 after extensive deliberations.
“The bill seeks to address key weaknesses observed in recent elections, including clearer legal backing for electronic transmission of results, early voting and tougher sanctions for electoral offences.
“However, the Senate has failed to discharge its constitutional responsibility on this priority legislation. Although the bill passed second reading in senate on Oct. 22, 2025, it was stepped down over procedural issues and never returned for final consideration before the senate adjourned for its end-of-year recess.
“This is in spite of a public commitment by the Joint Committees on Electoral Matters of both chambers in October 2025 to ensure passage of the bill before the end of the year,” he said.
Ya’u, who described the delay as inexcusable, said the electoral reform was not a routine legislation but a time-sensitive national obligation.
“The Senate’s failure to conclude action on a bill already passed by the House reflects poor prioritisation, weak inter-chamber coordination and a troubling disregard for Nigeria’s electoral timelines,” he said.
According to him, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is legally required to issue the notice of election in February.
“Situation Room stresses that for INEC to plan, implement and sensitise stakeholders under a revised legal framework, the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill must be passed and assented to well before then.
The convener also stated that any further delay could put the entire 2027 election cycle at risk.
“The group notes that the delay repeats a dangerous historical pattern. The National Assembly has previously acknowledged that the 2022 Electoral Act Amendment Bill failed to receive presidential assent in time because it was transmitted late to the presidency.
“It is unacceptable that the same mistake is now being repeated, in spite of the clear lessons from the past,” Ya’u said.
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