The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has strongly criticised the continued failure of the National Assembly—particularly the Senate—to conclude passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, describing the delay as a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic preparedness ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
The Situation Room announced plans to stage a public protest to draw national attention to what it characterised as growing legislative inertia on a reform that is central to the credibility, transparency, and integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
With general elections scheduled for February 2027, the Situation Room warned that Nigeria is fast running out of time to finalise the legal framework that will govern the next electoral cycle. It noted that prolonged uncertainty surrounding the Electoral Act undermines public confidence and constrains the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to plan, procure, train, and deploy effectively.
The protest follows the National Assembly’s extended end-of-year recess in December 2025, during which the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill remained unresolved despite having been passed by the House of Representatives. Although lawmakers have since resumed plenary sittings, the Situation Room observed that no concrete progress has been made toward concluding legislative action on the bill, reinforcing concerns about a lack of urgency within the Senate.
According to the Situation Room, the proposed amendments seek to address persistent weaknesses exposed in recent elections. These include clearer legal backing for the electronic transmission of results, stronger provisions for internal party democracy, improved regulation of campaign finance, and reforms to the resolution of electoral disputes. Delays in enacting these provisions, the group warned, risk compressing INEC’s operational timeline and increasing the likelihood of logistical failures and post-election litigation.
The Situation Room stressed that electoral reform is not an ordinary legislative matter that can be treated casually or postponed without consequence. Rather, it is a time-bound national priority that must be concluded well ahead of elections to ensure stability, predictability, and public trust in the process.
In its demands, the Situation Room called on the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives to immediately publish a clear and realistic timetable for the passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, fast-track committee consideration, and engage transparently with INEC and civil society stakeholders. It also urged the National Assembly to demonstrate leadership by placing electoral reform at the top of its legislative agenda upon resumption.
“The protest is not merely about one bill,” the Situation Room emphasised. “It is about whether Nigeria’s democratic institutions can act with foresight and responsibility, rather than waiting until the eve of elections to scramble for reforms.”
The group warned that failure to act decisively now would not only weaken preparations for the 2027 elections but further erode public confidence in the National Assembly’s commitment to democratic consolidation.