A proposed bill to allow the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct all general elections on the same day has passed its second reading in the Senate.

The bill seeks to amend the Electoral Act of 2022 with the goal of reducing the rising costs of elections, shortening campaign timelines, and permitting elected officials to serve as ad hoc delegates during party congresses.

Senator Saliu Mustapha, who led the debate on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, emphasized the unsustainable rise in election costs, which have escalated from ₦1.5 billion in 1999 to ₦350 billion in 2023.

He argued that the current staggered election format is costly, inefficient, and leads to voter fatigue.

“The staggered election process is financially burdensome. Consolidating all elections into one day would cut costs, boost voter turnout, and ease political tensions,” Mustapha said.

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While many senators expressed strong support for the bill, there were concerns about INEC’s ability to manage a nationwide election in a single day.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole raised caution, questioning whether INEC is adequately prepared for such an ambitious reform.

“This bill has noble goals, but we must ask: Is INEC capable of handling all elections on a single day? We should also be mindful of potential confusion for voters, especially those who may struggle with multiple ballot papers,” Oshiomhole warned.

The Senate is expected to conduct further reviews of the bill in the coming weeks.

Crediblenewsng.com