Senate advances bill to conduct presidential, gubernatorial, legislative elections on same day nationwide
The Nigerian Senate has taken a significant step towards electoral reform by passing a bill that would allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct all elections on the same day. This critical legislation has successfully cleared its second reading in the Senate.
Introduced by Senator Saliu Mustapha, who represents Kwara Central, the bill aims to synchronize presidential, governorship, national, and state assembly elections across the country. This bold move is designed to alleviate financial and logistical pressures faced by political parties and candidates, as it also proposes a shortening of the campaign period.
During the debate, Senator Mustapha drew attention to the surging costs of elections, highlighting that expenses have soared from N1.5 billion in 1999 to an alarming figure in 2023. He described the current staggered election process as both costly and inefficient, stating, “Conducting all elections on the same day will save costs, boost voter participation, and reduce political tension.” He referenced successful same-day election practices in countries such as the United States, India, and Brazil as models for Nigeria.
While the bill received considerable backing from many senators, concerns were raised regarding INEC’s readiness to manage the complexities of holding nationwide elections in a single day. Senator Adams Oshiomhole from Edo North warned about potential confusion arising from multiple ballot papers, particularly for illiterate voters.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary session, reassured attendees that the proposed legislation would undergo thorough scrutiny at the committee level. “We will engage with stakeholders to assess its feasibility and address any potential challenges,” Jibrin said, as the Senate seeks to enhance Nigeria’s electoral process.
Source: TheCable
