Nigerian Senate’s Proposed Same-Day Elections Bill to Curtail Cost, Voter Apathy Passes Second Reading

The Nigerian Senate proposed to modify the electoral law of Nigeria 2022 and to introduce elections the same day nationally, to reduce costs and reduce the apathy of voters.

The proposal is to gain ground among voters, civil society organizations and political analysts who believe that the reform could considerably reduce the electoral professional fault.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central), has already adopted a second reading in the Senate, with broad support from the legislators who argue that the staggered electoral process of Nigeria is ineffective, expensive and vulnerable to manipulation.

Mustapha stressed that Nigeria’s electoral costs soared from 1.5 billion nairas in 1999 to 350 billion nairas in 2023, qualifying the unsustainable trend. He also pointed out that holding all elections on the same day would increase the participation of voters, would reduce political tensions and prevent a scenario where the parties that lose an election manipulate the following.

But while the idea generates enthusiasm, concerns remain as to whether the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has the capacity to execute elections at all levels in a single day.

The electorates cite 2023 Lagos elections as a case study

The proposal has resonated deeply with many Nigerians who believe that the current offbeat system allows electoral fraud. Some underlined the general elections of 2023 in the state of Lagos, where the decision of the Progressive Congress (APC) underwent an unexpected defeat during the presidential election, but quickly gathered to remove the participation rate during the elections to the governor.

During the presidential survey, the opposition parties, in particular the Labor Party (LP), won a shock victory in Lagos, exhibiting weaknesses in the Bastion of the APC. However, before the elections to the post of governor, the ruling party would have deployed thugs and security agents to intimidate and deprive voters in the main areas of opposition.

The reports of witnesses indicated a general removal of voters, in particular the areas targeting the large populations of non -Aboriginal residents who had voted against the APC during the presidential election.

A video before the election day has also shown the then head of the National Union of Road Transport (NUTW), popularly known as MC-soluomo, warning voters not to go out unless they are ready to vote for the ruling party. Many survey units in the opposition of bastions have recorded a low participation rate, partly due to the fear of violence.

In this context, the defenders of the bill argue that the consolidation of all the elections in a single day would prevent politicians from adjusting their rigging strategies between the electoral balls. As part of the current system, the parties that work poorly during the first elections can use the interval before the aftermath to deploy voting removal tactics, brothel electoral agents or influencing security agencies.

Concerns about the ability of the INEC

Although the bill has collected broad support, some legislators have expressed doubts about whether Inec has the logistical capacity to manage a national election covering the presidential seats, the National Assembly, the Governor and the Assembly of State on the same day.

Senator Adams Oshiomole has warned that such a large -scale election would require major structural improvements in voters’ education, logistics, security and election management.

“Although the bill has good intentions, we must make sure that Inec is properly prepared for the enormous task of carrying out elections at all levels of government in one day,” said Oshiomole.

Others have raised concerns about the potential confusion of voters, especially in rural areas where many voters know less with complex ballot systems. The management of several voting ballots for different positions on the same day could slow down the vote and increase the risk of errors.

However, supporters of the bill stressed that other countries – such as the United States, India and Brazil – have successfully implemented the elections the same day, demonstrating that with appropriate planning, Nigeria could do the same.

Will the bill pass?

With its adoption for the second reading, the bill should undergo a legislative examination in the coming weeks. The legislators will debate the feasibility of its implementation, the potential modifications of the existing electoral framework and the strategies to improve the capacity of the INEC.

If it is adopted, it would mark one of the most important electoral reforms in the history of Nigeria, responding to longtime concerns concerning the cost of elections, manipulation and priority of voters.

The Nigerians express optimism that the change will be adopted, believing that it will improve democratic integrity, will reduce political violence and prevent the type of post-electoral suppression observed in Lagos and other states.