FIDA Nigeria Joins Civil Society Situation Room and Other Stakeholders in Urgent Call for Immediate Passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025

1.0 Introduction
The credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections is already under threat — not from voters, not from INEC, but from legislative delay.

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Nigeria) expresses deep concern and strong dismay over the continued delay by the National Assembly, particularly the Nigerian Senate, in concluding the legislative process on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, despite its passage by the Federal House of Representatives.

This delay is not only unjustifiable, but also dangerous. It undermines early and lawful preparations by Nigerians—especially women—who are already working assiduously to participate, contest, and represent their constituencies in the 2027 General Elections.

FIDA Nigeria reiterates that the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025 is designed to introduce critical reforms and provide clarity on ambiguities that have continued to plague Nigeria’s electoral process. Its passage will help prevent conflicting interpretations and inconsistent application of rules governing voter accreditation, result transmission, and collation procedures.

The Bill also seeks to address major deficiencies observed in recent elections, including clearer legal backing for electronic transmission of results, provisions for early voting, and tougher sanctions for electoral offences. Electoral integrity will therefore suffer significantly if this Bill is not passed timeously.

FIDA Nigeria recalls that the Federal House of Representatives completed legislative action on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, passing it on 23 December 2025 after extensive deliberations. In contrast, the Senate has yet to discharge its constitutional responsibility on this priority legislation, despite public commitments made by the Joint Committees on Electoral Matters of both chambers to ensure passage of the Bill before the end of the year.

One of the most significant innovations contained in the Bill is the provision for electronic transmission of election results. This provision gives legal backing for electronic transmission of results to the INEC Election Results Viewing Portal (IREV), while still maintaining the manual process—ensuring both processes run concurrently.

If passed, this provision could significantly reduce result manipulation at polling units and during collation. It further gives legal weight to result sheets uploaded on INEC’s portal, making them credible evidence for confirming votes scored by parties or exposing electoral malpractice.

FIDA Nigeria notes that the issues addressed in the Bill are neither novel nor unforeseen. Both chambers of the 10th National Assembly identified electoral reform as a core legislative priority. The continued failure of the Senate to conclude work on a Bill already passed by the House of Representatives reflects poor legislative coordination, weak prioritization, and a troubling disregard for the democratic yearnings of Nigerian citizens—particularly Nigerian women.

2.0 Call to Action
In view of the foregoing, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Nigeria) demands as follows:
A. That the Nigerian Senate concludes work on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025 with urgency upon resumption and passes the Bill without further delay.

B. That upon passage, the Bill is transmitted immediately to the President for assent, so the revised legal framework is in force well ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

3.0 Conclusion
FIDA Nigeria, in partnership with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and other credible civil society actors, will continue to demand the immediate passage and assent of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025.
Nigeria cannot afford further slippage. Any additional delay threatens the integrity of the entire 2027 election cycle and weakens public confidence in democratic governance.

The Senate must act—urgently, responsibly, and in the national interest.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
God bless FIDA Nigeria.

Eliana Martins
Country Vice President / National President

Chineze Obianyo
National Publicity Secretary