A bill seeking to mandate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct all general elections on the same day has passed its second reading in the Senate.
The proposed amendment to the Electoral Act 2022 aims to cut election costs, reduce campaign periods, and allow elected officials to serve as ad hoc delegates in party congresses.
Senator Saliu Mustapha, who sponsored the bill, highlighted the escalating cost of elections, which has surged from ₦1.5 billion in 1999 to ₦350 billion in 2023. He argued that staggered elections are financially draining and contribute to voter fatigue.
“The current staggered election process is a major financial burden. Holding all elections on the same day will save costs, improve voter turnout, and reduce political tension,” Mustapha stated.
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While the bill received support from several lawmakers, concerns were raised about INEC’s capacity to handle such an extensive exercise in a single day.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole urged caution, questioning whether INEC had the resources to manage nationwide elections simultaneously.
“The bill has good intentions, but we must ask: Is INEC equipped to conduct all elections in one day? We must also consider the confusion that multiple ballot papers could create, especially for illiterate voters,” he said.
The Senate is set to conduct further deliberations on the bill in the coming weeks.