The Senate has put on hold its consideration of the proposed Electoral Act repeal and reenactment bill, opting instead to hold a closed executive session to carefully examine the provisions before reaching a final resolution.
This decision was reached during plenary deliberations on the report submitted by the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, which was presented in the absence of the committee’s chairman, Senator Simon Lalong.
Following discussions, senators resolved to suspend debate on the report to give members sufficient time to study the bill in depth. Deliberations are expected to continue when the chamber reconvenes on Thursday.
In addition, lawmakers agreed to convene an executive session to allow for confidential discussions on key elements of the proposed electoral reforms.
Despite the bill having already been approved by the House of Representatives, Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasized the importance of a meticulous review, citing the far-reaching consequences of the legislation for Nigeria’s democratic process.
He stressed that the bill demands careful handling, particularly in an election period, to ensure fairness and prevent disputes that could end up before election tribunals.
Findings from the committee’s report indicate that a detailed examination of the bill’s provisions suggests it would promote lasting electoral credibility, improve transparency, and reinforce public trust in the system.
The committee ultimately advised the Senate to pass the Electoral Act Repeal and Reenactment Bill, as revised, noting that the proposed changes would broaden voter engagement, curb electoral malpractice, and enhance the operational strength of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
