2027 Polls: Senate Moves To Reconsider Electoral Act Amendment

The Senate has moved to rescind and recommit the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2026, citing concerns over the timing of the 2027 general elections and technical inconsistencies in the legislation.

Rising under Order 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele proposed the motion to reverse the earlier passage of the bill and return it to the Committee of the Whole for further deliberations.

Bamidele explained that the development followed the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) announcement of a timetable fixing the 2027 general elections for February 2027.

“Stakeholders raised concerns that the proposed date conflicts with the provisions of the amended law, particularly the requirement that elections be scheduled not later than 360 days before the expiration of tenure,” he said.

The Ekiti Central lawmaker noted that a critical review of the bill revealed that the 360-day notice requirement in Clause 28 could result in scheduling the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections during the Ramadan period.

“Holding elections during Ramadan could negatively affect voter turnout, logistical coordination, stakeholder participation, and the overall inclusiveness and credibility of the electoral process,” Bamidele added.

The motion also highlighted discrepancies in the Long Title and several clauses of the bill, including Clauses 6, 9, 10, 22, 23, 28, 29, 32, 42, 47, 51, 60, 62, 64, 65, 73, 77, 86, 87, 89, 93, and 143. According to the Senate, these issues affected cross-referencing, serial numbering, and internal consistency within the legislation.

Meanwhile, proceedings in the House of Representatives became rowdy over a motion to rescind the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which includes provisions for real-time electronic transmission of results.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive, moved the motion, which was seconded by Bayo Balogun, Chairman of the Committee on Electoral Matters.

“We believe the House needs to reconsider its December 23 decision to ensure the bill aligns with technical and practical realities,” Waive said.

When Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put the motion to a voice vote, the “nays” appeared louder than the “ayes,” but he ruled that the ayes had it. The ruling sparked protests from lawmakers who shouted in objection, forcing the Speaker to call for an executive session.

The House subsequently went into a closed-door session following the disruption. Tension had risen earlier after some members accused the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole, Benjamin Kalu, of failing to consider the bill clause-by-clause before its passage.

“The lack of detailed consideration of each clause has led to confusion and dissent among members,” one lawmaker remarked during the session.