SENATE PASSES BILL TO HOLD ALL ELECTIONS SAME DAY
The Senate has passed for second reading the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, which proposes holding the presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and State Assembly elections on the same day across Nigeria.
Sponsored by Sen. Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central), the bill seeks to amend the 2022 Electoral Act, aiming to reduce the high cost of elections, streamline the electoral process, and restore public trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
The bill advocates for a drastic shift from the current staggered election system to one-day elections, which would help lower financial burdens on political parties, candidates, and the government. It also proposes shortening the campaign period and enabling elected officials, including the President, Vice President, Governors, and legislators, to serve as ad hoc delegates during party congresses.
Senator Mustapha highlighted the escalating cost of elections, with expenses soaring from ₦1.5 billion in 1999 to ₦350 billion in 2023.
He emphasized that conducting all elections on the same day would reduce costs, increase voter participation, and alleviate political tension.
The bill also aims to simplify the process, curbing unnecessary campaign spending and logistical challenges faced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Cynthia Mbamalu of Yiaga Africa added that holding all elections on a single day would engage voters at all levels of government, benefiting Nigeria’s democracy.
While the bill enjoys support from many lawmakers, concerns about INEC’s preparedness to handle simultaneous elections remain.
Some critics, like Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Sen. Adams Oshiomhole, expressed the need for careful implementation and sufficient resources.
