A bill seeking to empower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct general elections on the same day has passed its second reading in the Senate.
The proposed legislation aims to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to reduce rising election costs, shorten campaign periods, and allow 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 escalating cost of elections, which has surged from ₦1.5 billion in 1999 to ₦350 billion in 2023. He argued that staggered elections are costly, inefficient, and contribute to voter fatigue.
“The current staggered election system imposes a significant financial burden. Conducting all elections on the same day will cut costs, enhance voter participation, and reduce political tension,” Mustapha stated.
While many senators expressed support for the bill, some raised concerns about INEC’s capacity to manage a nationwide election in a single day.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole urged caution, warning against hasty implementation without ensuring INEC’s preparedness.
“This bill has noble intentions, but we must ask: Is INEC adequately equipped to conduct all elections in one day? We must also consider the potential confusion that multiple ballot papers could create, particularly for illiterate voters,” Oshiomhole cautioned.
The Senate is expected to subject the bill to further deliberations in the coming weeks.
