Senate Postpones Decision On Electoral Act Amendment After Four-Hour Deliberation

Deliberations on the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026, ended inconclusively on Tuesday as the Senate failed to make a final decision after over four hours of closed-door consideration of a report by a seven-member ad hoc committee.

The prolonged deliberation ended without a clear resolution, further delaying amendments widely viewed as critical to Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of future elections.

The upper chamber had commenced deliberations on the consolidated report of the ad hoc committee, which was set up to collate and harmonise lawmakers’ submissions and opinions on the bill.

After initial discussions in an open plenary, the Senate dissolved into a closed-door session to scrutinise the documents submitted by the committee.

However, when lawmakers reconvened, Senate President Godswill Akpabio declined to disclose the outcome of the deliberations, choosing instead to adjourn plenary to the next legislative day.

The move effectively stalled progress on the bill, leaving its fate uncertain.

Recall that last week, the Senate constituted the seven-man ad hoc committee following over two hours of intense debate on the bill’s provisions during another closed session.

The committee was mandated to collate, harmonise and distil the diverse views of senators on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill and present a unified report to the chamber on Tuesday.

The panel is chaired by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Niyi Adegbomore.

Other members of the committee include Senators Adamu Aliero, Aminu Tambuwal, Adams Oshiomhole, Danjuma Goje, Tony Nwoye, and Titus Zam.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Senate formally commenced consideration of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026, before resolving to meet behind closed doors.

The closed session was convened to allow lawmakers to thoroughly examine proposed amendments and supporting documents submitted by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Simon Lalong.

Channels Television quoted sources as saying the documents contained detailed proposals and justifications aimed at refining the country’s electoral laws.

The latest delay follows an earlier decision by the Senate to defer consideration of the bill, giving lawmakers additional time to prepare for a more detailed and informed review.

Despite expectations that Tuesday’s session would produce a clear outcome, the silence from the Senate leadership has raised fresh questions about the pace and direction of the amendment process.

For now, the fate of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill remains undecided, as Nigerians await the Senate’s next move.