A new bill seeking to empower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct all general elections on the same day has successfully passed its second reading in the Senate. The bill, titled the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aims to curb the escalating costs of elections, shorten campaign periods, and allow elected officeholders to serve as adhoc delegates in party congresses.
Leading the debate on the bill, Senator Saliu Mustapha emphasized the need for an overhaul of Nigeria’s election process, citing the soaring costs associated with staggered elections. According to him, the expenses of conducting elections have risen dramatically from ₦1.5 billion in 1999 to a staggering ₦350 billion in 2023. He argued that consolidating elections into a single day would significantly reduce financial burdens, enhance efficiency, and combat 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,” Senator Mustapha stated passionately on the Senate floor. He further stressed that the current system encourages unnecessary expenditures and prolongs political uncertainty, making governance unstable.
The bill received strong backing from several lawmakers who believe that a single election day will promote democratic stability. They also argue that it will limit the potential for electoral malpractice, as security agencies and election monitors can concentrate their efforts in a single voting period instead of being stretched over multiple days.
However, not all senators are convinced about the feasibility of the proposed reform. Senator Adams Oshiomhole raised concerns over whether INEC possesses the necessary infrastructure and capacity to conduct nationwide elections in a single day. He warned that logistical challenges could overwhelm the commission, leading to widespread confusion and inefficiencies.
“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,” Oshiomhole cautioned. He called for a careful evaluation of INEC’s preparedness before implementing such a significant change.
Despite these reservations, many lawmakers remain optimistic that the bill will address Nigeria’s long-standing electoral challenges. They argue that many democratic nations successfully conduct elections in a single day and that Nigeria should not be an exception.
In addition to cost reduction, the bill proposes a shorter campaign period, which many believe will lessen the financial strain on candidates and political parties. The prolonged campaign cycle in Nigeria often leads to excessive spending and heightens political tensions. By reducing the campaign period, supporters of the bill argue that elections will become more issue-based rather than personality-driven.
Another key provision in the bill is allowing elected officeholders to serve as ad hoc delegates in party congresses. Proponents argue that this will enhance the role of experienced politicians in shaping party decisions while maintaining accountability within the political system.
As the debate continues, experts have weighed in on the implications of holding all elections on the same day. Some political analysts agree that it will streamline Nigeria’s electoral process, but others worry about the pressure it will place on INEC, security forces, and voters. There are also concerns about the ability to effectively collate and announce results without unnecessary delays.
The Senate is expected to subject the bill to further scrutiny in the coming weeks. If it scales through, it could mark a historic shift in Nigeria’s electoral process, bringing the country in line with other democracies that conduct general elections in a single day
