Massive Electoral Shakeup Looms as House Proposes Single-Day General Elections and Tougher Election Rules by 2027

 

A landmark proposal making its way through Nigeria’s National Assembly could reshape the country’s democratic process starting with the 2027 general elections. The House of Representatives has advanced a bill that would mandate the conduct of all major elections on the same day, eliminating the current staggered model.

This ambitious reform is contained in the proposed Electoral Act 2025, a new framework aiming to overhaul existing election laws. Spearheaded by Bayo Balogun, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, the bill has already scaled its second reading and is poised for committee scrutiny and wider debate. If passed, it would repeal the Electoral Act No 13 of 2022 and usher in a wide array of transformative provisions.

Central to the bill is the consolidation of Nigeria’s five major elections into a single-day event. Presidential, governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, and state assembly elections would all be conducted simultaneously. Supporters argue this will reduce election fatigue, cut costs and improve voter turnout, while critics may raise concerns over logistical execution and potential voter confusion.

A notable provision within the proposed law introduces an administrative fee of N50 million for any political association seeking registration as a political party. This is designed to streamline the registration process and discourage unserious political entrants. The bill also sets definitive campaign spending limits, capping presidential campaign expenditure at N10 billion and governorship spending at N3 billion.

According to the draft law, elections must be held no earlier than 210 days and no later than 30 days before the expiration of an incumbent’s term. The bill enforces a 90-day window for the resolution of election-related petitions, aiming to reduce the longstanding problem of prolonged litigations.

In a move to address the frequent need for costly by-elections, political parties will be permitted to submit replacement nominees when lawmakers vacate their seats due to resignation or death. These replacements must be forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) within 60 days, after which certificates of return would be issued without requiring fresh polls.

The reform bill also proposes stringent campaign finance rules. Donations from individuals or corporate bodies will be capped at N500 million. Any misrepresentation or false affidavit by a candidate will be criminalised, with penalties including fines up to N10 million or potential jail time.

Legal timelines for contesting elections and pre-election disputes are sharply defined. Election petitions must be filed within 21 days of result declaration, while pre-election suits must be filed within 14 days of the contested act. Appeals must be concluded within 60 days. Courts will also be barred from halting electoral processes due to ongoing legal disputes.

Technological components of the electoral process remain a part of the proposed framework. The bill upholds the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for voter identification. However, it allows for alternatives to the permanent voter card. Voters will be permitted to use downloadable voter IDs with QR codes or other recognised forms of identification at polling units.

To enhance transparency in result collation, the bill mandates dual transmission of election results, both electronically and manually, from polling units to collation centers. Any INEC official found breaching this rule may face a fine of at least N500,000 or up to six months in prison.

New protocols will require collation officers to verify that accredited voter numbers match vote totals, with disputes resolved by referring to original result sheets and accreditation data. This approach is expected to strengthen the integrity of the vote collation process.

Internal party processes are also being tightened. Political parties must submit their membership registers at least 30 days before conducting primaries. Registers not submitted to INEC will be deemed invalid. Additionally, the bill bars political appointees from being delegates or running for party positions while holding appointed office.

False information submitted in affidavits by candidates can now be challenged in court. Where the court finds that constitutional qualifications were not met, both the candidate and the sponsoring party will be disqualified from the race.

Frivolous lawsuits could attract serious penalties, including fines of up to N10 million for both the petitioner and their legal representatives. This aims to deter the abuse of court processes and the weaponisation of election petitions.

The legislation firmly states that only candidates who fully participate in all stages of the election can be declared winners. It further exempts periods of national emergencies, disasters or war from standard legal deadlines under the Act.

Special voting provisions will be introduced for INEC staff, security personnel, election observers, journalists and other essential workers who would otherwise be unable to vote on election day. These individuals will cast their votes on pre-designated days before the general vote.

As the bill continues its legislative journey, it stands as one of the most sweeping and consequential electoral reform efforts in Nigeria’s democratic history. Whether it can garner full support across both chambers and among the public remains to be seen, but its impact, if enacted, could define Nigeria’s political landscape for years to come.