Reps Dismisses Claims of Delay on Electoral Act Amendment

Reps Dismisses Claims of Delay on Electoral Act Amendment
Senate again fails to conclude bill after closed session
Concerns grow over readiness for 2027 elections

The House of Representatives has dismissed allegations that the National Assembly is deliberately delaying the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, insisting that the pace of work is procedural rather than political and expressing confidence that harmonisation will be concluded next week.

EDITOR’S PICKS

EKO HOT BLOG reports that chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Adebayo Balogun, said consideration of the bill was ongoing in both chambers and that there was no intentional slowdown. Balogun, who represents Ibeju Lekki Federal Constituency of Lagos State, said the Senate was actively deliberating on the bill and that the harmonisation process between the House and Senate was expected to be completed soon.

He said once both chambers align their versions, the bill would be transmitted to the President for assent ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Despite assurances from the House, the Senate on Tuesday again failed to conclude work on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. Lawmakers spent about four and a half hours in a closed door executive session deliberating on the report of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, chaired by Senator Simon Lalong, alongside submissions from a seven member ad hoc committee set up to resolve contentious clauses.

However, when plenary resumed, no details of the deliberations were disclosed and the fate of the bill remained unclear for the second consecutive sitting.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio gave only a brief account of the session, stating that discussions focused on issues relating to the Senate and the nation. The chamber later adjourned without indicating whether the bill had progressed to third reading or when final passage would occur.

The repeated delays have heightened concerns over Nigeria’s preparedness for the 2027 polls. The amendment bill is seen as critical to strengthening electoral integrity, addressing malpractice and boosting public confidence.

Major opposition parties, including the Labour Party, African Democratic Congress and New Nigeria Peoples Party, have criticised what they describe as a lack of urgency, warning that prolonged delays could undermine the credibility of the next general elections.

Despite growing criticism, National Assembly leaders insist the delays are the result of legislative procedures and the need for concurrence between both chambers.