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From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
The Joint Committee of the National Assembly on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday intensified efforts to overhaul the Electoral Act 2022, debating key reforms including electronic result transmission, inmate voting, early voting for essential workers and the future of local government elections.
The one-day retreat, held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, brought together senators, members of the House of Representatives, civil society stakeholders and the newly appointed INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan.
After a closed-door technical session, the chairmen of both committees – Senator Simon Lalong for the Senate and Hon. Adebayo Balogun for the House of Representatives – briefed The Sun on the progress made so far.
**Lalong: “We are in the last phase of a comprehensive review”**
Senator Simon Lalong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters, said the retreat marked “the continuation of the process of completely reviewing and amending the Electoral Act in conformity with the Constitution for the next election cycle”.
He noted that the process began immediately after President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration in 2023, following the President’s recommendation for a continuous update of Nigeria’s electoral framework.
“Mr President made a recommendation that he would do his best for this country and support an updated framework that perfects the process of elections.
“From the National Assembly, the Senate President and the Speaker set up this joint committee, and for over a year we have been collecting the views of Nigerians from all classes, including civil society groups,” Lalong said.
The former Plateau State governor stressed that the retreat represents the final technical stage before a draft amendment bill is presented to the National Assembly for debate.
**On real-time result transmission, delegates for primaries and state electoral commissions**
Responding to questions on whether the committee discussed the controversial issues of real-time electronic result transmission, removal of elected officials as delegates for primaries and stripping State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) of the power to conduct local government elections, Lalong said all relevant issues were reviewed but within constitutional limits.
“We discussed those issues, but not to the extent of stripping SIECs of their powers; that is purely a constitutional matter for the Constitution Amendment Committee.
“With respect to transmission of results, all were discussed. Don’t forget this is a draft to the National Assembly, not a final conclusion. We are making proposals,” he clarified.
Lalong explained that INEC’s presence at the retreat was deliberate to ensure the commission’s challenges, experience and recommendations are incorporated early.
“We didn’t want to keep them out of the process before this goes to INEC formally. Civil societies were also involved; all Nigerians were invited to give their views. INEC also made their difficulties and challenges known to us.”
Hon. Adebayo Balogun, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, outlined key provisions under consideration by the joint committee, especially measures aimed at expanding voter inclusion.
He said the committee had reviewed proposals on inmate voting, early voting for essential workers and ensuring that all pre-election litigations are concluded before the swearing-in of elected officials.
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“Part of the provisions are those enhancing inclusion, such as allowing prison inmates to vote and enabling early voting for essential workers,” he said.
“Another major issue is concluding all litigations before swearing-in, which will require tinkering with the election timeline. This involves the Constitution Amendment Committee.”
**Local government elections: two options on the table**
Balogun revealed that the joint committee is weighing two major pathways for reforming local government elections, which have long been subjects of controversy due to allegations of state interference.
“The constitutional amendment process is considering creating a new body to conduct local government elections.
“On the other hand, we are also looking at improving the laws guiding the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) to make them more effective if they retain the responsibility.”
He emphasised that both options will eventually be taken to the wider parliament for debate and voting.
“These two extremes are ongoing discussions. But everything will still go to the general parliament. The committee is less than 12% of lawmakers, so the whole House will deliberate and vote.”
**Debate on early voting continues**
Balogun acknowledged that early voting remains one of the most contentious proposals, with strong arguments on both sides.
“Some worry about trust – how ballots cast two weeks earlier would be kept securely. Others argue that nearly five million highly educated essential workers are disenfranchised under the current system.”
He said the final position will be determined during plenary when both chambers vote.
“We want a more reliable, inclusive and credible process,” Balogun concluded, adding that the reforms aim to ensure that all Nigerians can trust election outcomes.
“The important thing is to have a better, more reliable, inclusive electoral process – one that is free and fair and that everybody can believe in. If people are involved in the process, they won’t have a problem with the outcome.”
The joint committee is expected to harmonise its proposals and forward a draft amendment bill to both chambers of the National Assembly for debate, public hearing and eventual passage.
The Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill is anticipated to be one of the most consequential legislative exercises ahead of the 2027 general elections.
