Electoral act: Senator Mustapha’s amendment bill scales second reading
The Nigerian Senate has taken a major step toward electoral reform as the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB.701), sponsored by Senator Saliu Mustapha, who represents Kwara Central, successfully passed its second reading on the Senate floor.
The bill seeks to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to reduce the cost of elections, improve efficiency, and enhance political participation.
While leading the debate at the plenary on Thursday, Senator Mustapha emphasized the urgent need to amend the Electoral Act 2022, which, despite its improvements, has left significant gaps in Nigeria’s electoral system.
He noted that the rising cost of elections, which ballooned from ₦1.5 billion in 1999 to ₦350 billion in 2023, is unsustainable and undermines the democratic process.
Senator Mustapha stated that the bill proposes same-day elections to eliminate the financial burden caused by prolonged campaign periods and staggered elections. He explained that the bill also seeks to shorten campaign durations to ease financial strain on both political parties and candidates.
Another key provision in the bill is the inclusion of elected office holders—such as the President, Vice President, Governors, and National Assembly members—as ad hoc delegates in their party’s conventions, congresses, and meetings.
According to Senator Mustapha, the current restriction disenfranchises key stakeholders and limits political participation.
He said, “Mr, President, Distinguished colleagues, nations with larger democracies, such as the United States, India, and Brazil, have successfully implemented same-day elections, demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing costs and enhancing the electoral process. Adopting this approach in Nigeria can significantly minimize the financial burden on the government, minimize the economic losses associated with staggered elections and prolonged campaign periods thereby reducing the political tension and uncertainty associated with staggered elections.
With same day elections, Nigeria can reduce the substantial expenses incurred by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in conducting elections over multiple days. This proactive step can help save government funds, which can be allocated to other critical infrastructure development projects.
Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, the amendment proposed in this bill will enrich and deepen our democracy, I urge you all to support the expeditious passage of this bill into law, so that this 10th Senate can prioritize the collective interest of all Nigerians and contribute to a more efficient and cost-effective electoral process.”
Following its second reading, the bill now proceeds to the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters for further legislative review before proceeding to third reading and final passage.