Bill to hold general elections on same day scales through second reading

The Nigerian Senate has passed the second reading of a bill seeking to empower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct all general elections on the same day.  

The proposed amendment to the Electoral Act 2022 aims to reduce election costs, shorten campaign periods, and permit elected officeholders to serve as ad hoc delegates in party congresses.

Leading the debate on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Senator Saliu Mustapha emphasized the rising cost of elections, which has escalated from ₦1.5 billion in 1999 to ₦350 billion in 2023.

He underscored that staggered elections are expensive, inefficient, and contribute to voter fatigue.

“The current staggered election process is a major financial burden. Holding all elections on the same day will save costs, improve voter turnout, and reduce political tension,” he said.

While the proposal received strong backing from several senators, some lawmakers expressed concerns over the capacity of INEC to handle nationwide elections in a single day.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole cautioned against rushing into the reform without ensuring INEC’s readiness.

He stated that the “bill has good intentions, but we must ask: Is INEC equipped to conduct all elections in one day? We must also consider the confusion that multiple ballot papers could create, especially for illiterate voters.”

The Senate is expected to subject it to further scrutiny in the coming weeks.