The Senate on Wednesday rejected proposals for the electronic transmission of election results and a 10-year ban on vote buyers and other electoral offenders, as lawmakers amended key sections of the Electoral Act during clause-by-clause consideration.
On result management, the upper chamber voted against the full electronic transmission of results, opting instead to retain electronic transfer as provided under the 2022 Electoral Act. Senators said the distinction was necessary to avoid legal and operational ambiguities.
Lawmakers also struck out a provision proposing a decade-long disqualification from contesting elections for individuals convicted of vote buying and related offences, describing the punishment as excessive.
The rejected clause, proposed by the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, had recommended sanctions ranging from a ₦5 million fine, two years’ imprisonment, and a 10-year ban from electoral participation.
Opposing the proposal, Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong said the ban was “too grievous” and disproportionate to the offence. His position was supported by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Deputy Senate President, who agreed that while vote buying must attract stiff penalties, sanctions should remain reasonable and enforceable.
Following deliberations, the Senate resolved that offenders should face either a ₦5 million fine or a two-year jail term, without any restriction on future electoral participation.
The Senate also approved a reduction in the election timetable, mandating the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue notices of elections at least 180 days before polling day, down from the current 360 days.
In addition, lawmakers agreed that party nominations should close 90 days before elections.
Senators further retained the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for voter accreditation and reaffirmed the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) as the sole means of voter identification at polling units.
The amendments are part of ongoing efforts by the National Assembly to fine-tune Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of future general elections.
