The senate reconvened for an emergency plenary on Tuesday and rescinded its earlier passage of the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill 2026 to allow amendments affecting the 2027 election timetable.
Shortly after resumption, the senate dissolved into the
committee of the whole to consider the rescission and recommittal of the bill.
The move followed a motion sponsored by Opeyemi Bamidele,
senator representing Ekiti central and senate leader.
The senate said the adjustment became necessary after
further review of the bill revealed that the 360-day notice requirement in
clause 28 could result in the scheduling of the 2027 presidential and national
assembly elections within the Ramadan period.
INEC had announced February 20, 2027, for the presidential
and national assembly elections.
Outrage trailed the announcement on social media following
reports that the dates fall within the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
The commission later said it was undertaking consultations
and would seek legislative intervention.
On Sunday, Godswill Akpabio, Senate president, directed the
upper legislative chamber to reconvene over the matter.
Lawmakers noted that the coincidence of the elections with
Ramadan could adversely affect voter turnout, logistical coordination,
stakeholder engagement, and the overall inclusiveness and credibility of the
electoral process.
The Senate also said discrepancies were identified in the
long title and several clauses of the bill, including clauses 6, 9, 10, 22, 23,
28, 29, 32, 42, 47, 51, 60, 62, 64, 65, 73, 77, 86, 87, 89, 93, and 143.
The upper chamber said the inconsistencies affected
cross-referencing, serial numbering, and internal coherence within the proposed
law.
The Senate said a technical committee comprising the
leadership of both chambers of the national assembly, members of the conference
committee, clerks of the Senate and House of Representatives, and legal
drafting experts met to harmonise and address the anomalies.
The red chamber said it recognised the need to ensure that
electoral timelines promote maximum participation, fairness, inclusivity,
administrative efficiency, and public confidence in the electoral system.
Relying on orders 1(b) and 53(6) of the Senate standing
orders (as amended), the chamber resolved to rescind its decision on the bill
as previously passed.
The Senate also resolved to recommit the bill to the
committee of the whole for comprehensive reconsideration and necessary
amendments.
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