The Senate will on Tuesday resume deliberation on the Electoral Act amendment bill amid growing public criticism and pressure over delays that observers warn could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

The upper chamber is expected to conclude consideration of the bill and transmit it within the week, following the inauguration of a seven-member ad hoc committee mandated to harmonise senators’ positions and resolve outstanding issues in the proposed legislation.

The committee was constituted last Thursday after a closed-door executive session in which lawmakers subjected the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill to further scrutiny. It was given three days to complete its assignment and is expected to submit its report on Tuesday.

Announcing the decision, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the panel was set up to synthesise divergent views expressed during plenary debates and address concerns raised by lawmakers. He noted that while the House of Representatives had already passed the bill, the Senate was committed to thorough 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,” Akpabio said.

The committee is chaired by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Niyi Adegbonmire, with Senators Adamu Aliero, Aminu Tambuwal, Adams Oshiomhole, Danjuma Goje, Tony Nwoye and Titus Zam as members.

According to the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, a clause-by-clause review of the bill indicates that the proposed amendments 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.

Earlier, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele outlined key provisions of the bill, describing it as a significant step toward improving electoral credibility and safeguarding institutional independence.

He said the proposed legislation introduces stiffer sanctions for electoral offences such as vote-buying, including fines of up to ₦5 million, a two-year jail term and a 10-year ban from contesting elections. It also prescribes tougher penalties for result falsification and obstruction of election officials.

Other provisions include the introduction of electronically generated voter identification with a downloadable voter card and unique QR code, mandatory electronic transmission of polling unit results, recognition of inmates’ voting rights with a requirement for INEC to register eligible prisoners, and the standardisation of delegates for indirect party primaries.

The bill also mandates the release of election funds at least one year before polling day to enhance preparedness and reduce operational challenges.

Bamidele said the reforms are designed to guarantee credible, transparent and secure elections starting from the 2027 general polls, subject to approval by at least two-thirds of state Houses of Assembly in line with constitutional requirements.

The renewed push by the Senate comes amid sustained criticism from legal experts, opposition parties and civil society groups over what they describe as unnecessary delays in the amendment process.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has criticised the National Assembly for repeatedly postponing passage of the bill, warning that continued delays could weaken the credibility of the 2027 elections. He faulted the Senate’s decision to set up another committee to review a bill already passed by the House of Representatives in December 2025, arguing that it suggested reluctance to implement meaningful reforms.

Opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress, Labour Party and New Nigeria People’s Party, have also raised concerns over the pace of the process, warning that further delays could erode public trust in the electoral system.

The Senate, however, insists that the ad hoc committee will fast-track its assignment as lawmakers intensify efforts to conclude work on the bill in the coming days.