2027: Details of Senate’s dramatic Tuesday plenary over election date, electronic transmission
Senate Reopens Debate on Electoral Act to Avoid Election Conflict with Religious Observances
The Nigerian Senate resumed discussions on the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2026 on Tuesday, reversing a prior passage of the legislation. This decision was made to address potential scheduling conflicts between the 2027 general elections and significant religious events, including the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and the Christian Lenten season.
Legislators determined that amendments were necessary following consultations with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which has slated the Presidential and National Assembly elections for February 2027, adhering to a 360-day statutory notice requirement.
Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, speaking during plenary under the guidance of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, invoked specific orders from the Senate Standing Orders to justify the bill’s reconsideration. He noted that the legislation had previously been passed during an emergency session but required adjustments in light of INEC’s election timeline announcement.
Representatives from Muslim organizations raised concerns that the proposed election date would coincide with Ramadan. Additionally, it was noted that the Christian Lenten season could extend into March 2027, potentially overlapping with the elections.
Bamidele remarked that if INEC could revise its schedule without causing conflicts, it should consider doing so. However, he indicated that legislative changes were essential for INEC to adjust the timeline without contravening established laws.
The Senate leader emphasized inclusiveness and fairness, warning that scheduling elections during major fasting periods could lead to low voter turnout and complicate security logistics.
In addition to addressing faith-related scheduling issues, Bamidele identified several technical errors in the bill that require correction. A special committee comprising leaders from both legislative chambers and legal experts had been convened to examine these inconsistencies.
Senator Simon Lalong, chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, dismissed accusations that the current INEC chair had intentionally scheduled elections during Ramadan, clarifying that the long-term election timetable was established in 2019.
Following the debate, the Senate unanimously agreed to rescind its previous vote on the bill and recommit it to the Committee of the Whole for thorough consideration and amendments.
Subsequently, the chamber dissolved into committee proceedings, where lawmakers examined the bill clause-by-clause, making significant changes, particularly to Clause 28. The amendment stipulates that INEC must publicize election dates 300 days prior to the elections, thereby allowing for the general elections to occur between December 2026 and January 2027.
Disagreements emerged during discussions on Section 60(3) related to the electronic transmission of election results. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe called for a formal vote on the matter, opposing provisions allowing for manual recording of results when internet access is unavailable.
As voting commenced, Senate President Akpabio modified the process to ensure transparency, allowing senators to stand and raise their hands to indicate their positions. Following the vote, the results revealed a majority favoring the inclusion of the proviso for electronic transmission.
The Senate proceeded with further consideration of the bill and completed deliberations, ultimately passing it for a third reading.
In closing remarks, Akpabio expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their commitment to upholding democratic processes and ensuring the success of upcoming elections. He underscored the importance of maintaining primary modes of result collation during elections and affirmed the significance of innovations in electronic transmission for transparency in electoral processes.
