Senate Amends Bill To Allow INEC Adjust Election Timetable

The Senate had rescinded and recommitted the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2026, citing concerns over the timing of the 2027 general elections and technical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 (Ekiti Central) moved the motion to reverse the earlier passage of the bill and return it to the Committee of the Whole for fresh deliberations.

Bamidele explained that the development followed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s announcement of a timetable that fixes the 2027 general elections for February 2027, after consultations with the leadership of the National Assembly.

He stated that stakeholders had raised concerns that the proposed date conflicts with provisions of the amended law, particularly the requirement that elections be scheduled not later than 360 days before the expiration of tenure.

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

According to him, holding elections during Ramadan could negatively affect voter turnout, logistical coordination, stakeholder participation, and the overall inclusiveness and credibility of the electoral process.