The Senate has constituted a seven‑member ad hoc committee tasked with harmonising and distilling senators’ input on proposed amendments to the Electoral Act, a key legislative reform ahead of the 2027 general elections. The announcement followed a closed‑door executive session on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
The Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2025, currently before the National Assembly is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral legal framework by enhancing transparency, expanding voter participation and bolstering public confidence in the conduct of elections.
Although the House of Representatives has passed the bill, the Senate deferred further consideration to allow for deeper examination of its contents.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the panel’s mandate is to synthesise viewpoints from across the chamber and address outstanding concerns on the bill before it is debated and finalised. The committee has a deadline of three days to submit its report back to the Senate by Tuesday.
Senator Niyi Adegbonmire, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, will head the ad hoc review panel. Other members are Senators Adamu Aliero, Aminu Tambuwal, Adams Oshiomhole, Danjuma Goje, Tony Nwoye and Titus Zam.
The Senate’s decision to form the committee followed extensive scrutiny of the Electoral Act bill, which lawmakers believe has far‑reaching implications for Nigeria’s electoral system.
Senator Akpabio said careful legislative review is necessary at a time when the nation prepares for elections with increased focus on credibility and inclusivity.
Proposed reforms outlined for the Electoral Act include stiffer sanctions for electoral offences such as vote‑buying, fines of up to N5 million, two‑year jail terms and bans of up to 10 years from contesting elections.
The bill also seeks to introduce electronically generated voter identification with unique QR codes and mandates the electronic transmission of polling unit results.
Senate President Akpabio said the committee was established to ensure “justice is done to all, so that we do not end up at the tribunal,” underscoring the importance of due diligence in refining the bill’s provisions.
The Senate’s move to establish a focused panel reflects the urgency and complexity of electoral reforms as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
Successful amendments to the Electoral Act are expected to address systemic gaps exposed in previous elections, improve legal clarity for electoral stakeholders and strengthen mechanisms for transparent and credible polls.
With Senators Adams Oshiomhole and Aminu Tambuwal among the seven‑member panel working on the Electoral Act amendments, the Senate is poised to conclude review of a critical piece of legislation designed to enhance Nigeria’s democratic framework.
The committee’s recommendations will shape the next phase of legislative deliberations ahead of the 2027 polls.
