The Nigerian Senate has proposed stricter punishments for vote-buying and other electoral malpractices as part of measures to strengthen the integrity of the 2027 general elections.
Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, January 27, 2026, to mark the resumption of plenary sessions by the 10th National Assembly after its Christmas and New Year break.
According to Bamidele, the tougher penalties are embedded in the Electoral Bill 2025, which is currently receiving legislative attention.
The proposed amendments aim to deter politicians, party agents, and voters from engaging in cash-for-votes schemes and related offences that have historically undermined free and fair elections in Nigeria.
“Vote-buying remains one of the most pervasive threats to democratic integrity in our country. The National Assembly is committed to closing existing loopholes and imposing more severe sanctions to ensure that elections reflect the true will of the people,” Senator Bamidele stated.
While specific details of the proposed penalties such as increased fines, longer prison terms, or additional disqualifications were not outlined in the statement, the Senate Leader emphasized that the bill seeks to align electoral laws with the realities of modern vote-trading tactics and enhance enforcement mechanisms.
The move comes amid growing concerns over electoral misconduct following the 2023 general elections, where allegations of vote-buying, ballot-snatching, and intimidation were widely reported across several states.
Civil society groups and election observers have repeatedly called for stronger legal deterrents to curb such practices ahead of the 2027 polls.
The Electoral Bill 2025 is expected to undergo further public hearings, committee scrutiny, and possible harmonisation with a counterpart bill from the House of Representatives before passage into law.
Senator Bamidele also used the occasion to reaffirm the National Assembly’s dedication to legislative reforms that promote credible, transparent, and violence-free elections, urging all stakeholders including political parties, security agencies, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to support efforts to sanitise the electoral process.
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