Electoral Act review: Vote buyers risk N5m fine, 2-year-jail, 10-year ban from politics

Electoral Act review: Vote buyers risk N5m fine, 2-year-jail, 10-year ban from politics

Electoral Act review: Vote buyers risk N5m fine, 2-year-jail, 10-year ban from politics

Senate committee uncovers $303bn missing crude oil proceeds in Nigeria
Senate ad-hoc committee presents report exposing $303bn unaccounted crude oil sales in Nigeria.
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The Senate Thursday constituted a seven-member ad hoc committee to harmonise and distil lawmakers’ inputs on the amendment of the 2022 Electoral Act.

The Senate’s decision followed a three-hour closed-door executive session it held to further scrutinise the proposed amendments.

Among others, the Electoral Act Amendment Bill seeks to put in place laws that would significantly improve electoral credibility and ensure institutional independence.

Among others, the bill introduces stiffer sanctions for offences such as vote-buying which attracts fines of up to N5 million, a two-year jail term and a 10-year ban of anyone found guilty, from contesting elections.

…The committee

Announcing the decision after the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the committee was “mandated to contribute, galvanise and distil the opinion of senators on the bill.

“In no particular order, the committee will be led by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Niyi Adegbonmire (Ondo Central).

“Other members are Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto South), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North), Danjuma Goje ( Gombe Central) Tony Nwoye ( Anambra North) and Titus Zam (Benue North West).”

He added that the committee had a maximum of three days to conclude its work and report back to the Senate by Tuesday.

The Senate had on Wednesday deferred consideration of the report on the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, opting instead for an executive session to allow for deeper scrutiny of the proposed legislation.

The decision followed plenary deliberations on the report of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, which was presented in the absence of its chairman, Simon Lalong.

Lawmakers agreed to step down debate to give senators more time to study the bill, given its far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s electoral process.

Although the House of Representatives had already passed the bill, Akpabio stressed that the Senate must exercise due diligence.

“This is a very important bill, especially as it is election time. We must take our time to ensure justice is done to all, so that we do not end up at the tribunal,” he said.

…Clause by clause review

According to the committee’s report, a clause-by-clause review shows that the bill would strengthen electoral integrity, enhance transparency and boost public confidence in the electoral system.

The committee recommended the passage of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2025, as amended, noting that the reforms would expand voter participation, curb electoral fraud and strengthen the institutional capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

…On vote-buying, others

Earlier, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele had outlined key elements of the proposed amendments, saying the review would significantly improve electoral credibility and institutional independence.

He said the bill introduces stiffer sanctions for offences such as vote-buying, including fines of up to N5 million, a two-year jail term and a 10-year ban from contesting elections.

The proposed law also prescribes tougher penalties for result falsification and obstruction of election officials, introduces electronically generated voter identification, including a downloadable voter card with a unique QR code and mandates electronic transmission of polling unit results.

Bamidele added that the bill recognises the voting rights of prisoners, mandates INEC to register eligible inmates, standardises delegates for indirect party primaries, and requires the release of election funds at least one year before polling day.

According to him, the reforms were aimed at guaranteeing credible, transparent and secure elections beginning with the 2027 general polls, subject to approval by at least two-thirds of state Houses of Assembly, in line with constitutional requirements.

“At the end of it all, good governance, enhanced security and the welfare of our constituents shall remain our cardinal objectives,” he said.