The Senate has amended Clause 28 of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, reducing the notice period required before an election from 360 days to 300 days.
The change gives the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) flexibility to schedule elections between December 2026 and January 2027.
The revised Clause 28 now states that “the Commission shall, not later than 300 days before the day appointed for holding of an election under this Bill, publish a notice in each State of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory – stating the date of the election; and (b) appointing the place at which nomination papers are to be delivered.”
The amendment was introduced during clause-by-clause consideration of the reworked Electoral Act Amendment Bill after Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved a motion on the rescission and recommittal of the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026.
Bamidele explained that a review of the previously passed bill showed that the 360-day notice requirement could lead to the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections being scheduled during Ramadan.
He warned that conducting elections during the fasting period could affect voter turnout, logistics, stakeholder participation, and the overall credibility and inclusiveness of the electoral process.
The motion also pointed out 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. These issues reportedly affected cross-referencing, numbering, and internal consistency.
Earlier, proceedings were briefly disrupted as lawmakers began detailed consideration of the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026, following the motion to rescind the earlier amendment.
The motion was seconded, allowing the Senate to dissolve into the committee of the whole for reconsideration of the legislation. As Senate President Godswill Akpabio read through the clauses, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe raised a point of order at Clause 60, drawing attention and prompting consultations among lawmakers. The session then moved into a closed-door meeting.
When plenary resumed, tensions flared over a demand for division on Clause 60 raised by Abaribe. Akpabio said he believed the demand had been withdrawn, but opposition senators objected.
Citing Order 52(6), Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin argued that it would be out of order to revisit a matter already ruled upon by the Senate President. The exchange triggered further disagreement, including a brief confrontation between Senator Sunday Karimi and Abaribe.
Bamidele reminded lawmakers that his motion for rescission meant previous decisions were no longer valid, insisting Abaribe’s demand was procedurally in order.
Akpabio suggested the call for division was an attempt by Abaribe to publicly state his position. He upheld the point of order, after which Abaribe formally moved his motion under Order 72(1).
Abaribe called for a division on Clause 60(3), particularly on the provision allowing manual transmission of results if electronic transmission fails. He sought removal of the proviso that permits manual transmission in the event of network failure.
During voting, Akpabio asked senators in support of retaining the proviso to stand, followed by those opposed. Fifteen opposition senators voted against the proviso, while 55 senators voted in support of it. The Senate subsequently passed the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026.
