The Senate on Thursday commenced consideration of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2026, moving into a closed-door session to scrutinise documents submitted by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Simon Lalong.
The closed session was convened to enable lawmakers to carefully study the proposed amendments and accompanying documents before resuming open debate on the bill on the floor of the chamber.
The decision to hold a closed session followed the Senate’s earlier move to defer consideration of the bill on Wednesday, a step taken to allow senators sufficient time to prepare for an in-depth review of the proposed electoral reforms.
Bellnews reports that although the House of Representatives has already passed the bill, the Senate resolved to subject it to rigorous examination, citing the far-reaching implications of the legislation on Nigeria’s electoral system.
Speaking before the chamber went into the closed session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stressed the importance of careful scrutiny, describing the bill as critical to the country’s democratic process.
“This is a very important bill, especially as it is election time,” Akpabio said.
“We must take our time to ensure justice is done to all, so that we do not end up at the tribunal.”
According to findings presented by the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, a clause-by-clause analysis of the bill showed that its passage would leave Nigerians with a lasting legacy of electoral integrity.
The committee noted that the proposed amendments are aimed at enhancing transparency in the electoral process and boosting public confidence in election outcomes.
The committee further recommended that the Senate consider and pass the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2025, as amended.
It said the proposed reforms would expand voter participation, safeguard the electoral process against fraud and manipulation, and strengthen the institutional capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Lawmakers are expected to resume open deliberations on the bill after concluding their review of the submitted documents.