The Joint Committees on Electoral Matters of Nigeria’s National Assembly, comprising members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, recently reached an agreement on a proposed new Electoral Act Bill intended to guide the conduct of the 2027 General Elections. The bill is designed to address gaps identified in the implementation of the current Electoral Act and to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral framework in line with democratic best practices.
In December 2025, shortly before the end-of-year recess commenced, the House of Representatives considered and passed the Electoral Act Bill. This legislative action signaled the House’s readiness to prioritise electoral reforms ahead of the next election cycle.
However, the Senate did not consider the bill before proceeding on recess, resulting in a significant delay in the legislative process. Under Nigeria’s law-making procedure, a bill must be passed in identical form by both chambers of the National Assembly before it can be transmitted to the President for assent. The Senate’s failure to act on the Electoral Bill has therefore stalled the enactment of a new Electoral Act.
This delay is particularly concerning given the proximity of the 2027 General Elections and the critical role that timely electoral reforms play in ensuring credible, transparent, and well-administered polls. Electoral laws require sufficient lead time to enable the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, and other stakeholders to understand, plan for, and effectively implement new legal provisions.
The absence of a new Electoral Act at this stage also heightens uncertainty around key reform issues that the bill seeks to address, including improvements to electoral administration, dispute resolution, and the overall integrity of the electoral process.
As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 elections, the prompt consideration and passage of the Electoral Act Bill by the Senate is imperative. Delays in electoral law reform risk undermining public confidence in the electoral process and weakening the institutional preparedness necessary for credible elections.
The National Assembly, particularly the Senate, must prioritise the passage of the new Electoral Act Bill upon resumption of plenary, in the national interest and in furtherance of Nigeria’s democratic consolidation.