Reps Push for One-Day Elections, Spending Caps, and Faster Petitions in Proposed Electoral Act 2025

The House of Representatives has taken a major step toward overhauling Nigeria’s electoral process, advancing a new Electoral Bill that proposes sweeping reforms including holding all major elections on the same day starting in 2027.

If passed, the Electoral Act 2025 will empower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct presidential, governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, and State Assembly elections simultaneously. Lawmakers believe this move could drastically cut election-related costs, reduce logistical challenges, and improve voter turnout.

The bill, sponsored by Hon. Bayo Balogun, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters and member representing Lagos, passed its Second Reading in the House of Representatives. Among its major provisions is the unification of election dates. According to the proposal, all general elections would be conducted on a single day, not earlier than 210 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of current officeholders’ tenures.

Another significant feature of the bill is the imposition of spending limits on campaigns. Presidential candidates will be restricted to ₦10 billion, while governorship campaigns are capped at ₦3 billion. Senate candidates will have a ₦500 million ceiling, House of Representatives candidates are limited to ₦250 million, and councillorship hopefuls will not exceed ₦10 million. Donations from individuals or organizations to any candidate cannot surpass ₦500 million.

To enhance inclusivity and logistics, the bill introduces early voting for INEC staff and security personnel, allowing them to cast their ballots ahead of the general public under INEC-supervised procedures. Voter accreditation will also get a digital upgrade, as the use of QR-coded digital voter cards or national ID documents will be permitted, with verification carried out using BVAS or any other INEC-approved technology.

The bill mandates both electronic and manual transmission of election results, with non-compliance attracting penalties of up to ₦500,000 or six months imprisonment. It also proposes to eliminate the need for frequent by-elections by requiring political parties to nominate replacements within 60 days of a legislator’s resignation or death. INEC will then issue Certificates of Return directly to the new nominees.

Additional highlights include a ₦50 million registration fee for new political associations and the compulsory submission of authentic party membership registers at least 30 days before party primaries. Candidates found to have submitted false affidavits will face automatic disqualification. The timeline for filing election petitions is also tightened, with a 21-day window from the date of result announcement and a mandatory conclusion of proceedings within 90 days. Appeals must be resolved within 60 days. The bill further prescribes strict penalties for frivolous suits, with petitioners facing fines of ₦10 million and lawyers involved liable for ₦5 million.

These reforms are designed to improve transparency, accountability, and efficiency within Nigeria’s electoral system. The bill will proceed to further legislative stages before it is passed into law.