By Hassanat Adebowale
The Senate has successfully passed a bill to amend the Electoral Act 2022 through its second reading during Thursday’s plenary session. The proposed legislation aims to address existing gaps, reduce election costs, and allow elected office holders to serve as ad hoc delegates in political party conventions.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Saliu Mustapha (APC-Kwara), was presented during Thursday’s plenary session by the senator himself.
Titled “A Bill for an Act to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to provide for the participation of elected officeholders as statutory delegates, the scheduling of Elections on the same day, and the Reduction of the Campaign Period, 2025,” the proposed legislation seeks to enhance the electoral process while cutting costs.
Leading the debate, Mustapha acknowledged the improvements brought by the Electoral Act 2022 but pointed out that it still contains significant gaps. “It is worth noting that despite its improvements, the 2022 Electoral Act has not significantly reduced the financial burden of elections on the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The proposed amendments aim to create a more efficient and cost-effective electoral process that will encourage greater citizen participation,” he said.
Mustapha highlighted the escalating costs of elections in Nigeria, noting that the budget for general elections had risen from ₦1.5 billion in 1999 to ₦350 billion in 2023. He described this increase as unsustainable and detrimental to the democratic process.
To address these concerns, the senator proposed holding all elections on the same day to minimize expenses associated with prolonged campaigns and staggered voting. “Same-day elections will not only help the government reduce costs but will also increase voter turnout and promote greater citizen engagement in the electoral process,” he added.
Following deliberations, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary, referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters for further review and legislative action.
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