Senate Moves to Strengthen Electoral Justice, Passes Amendment Bill

The Senate of Nigeria has passed the 2026 Electoral Act Amendment Bill in a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral justice system and addressing long-standing legal uncertainties surrounding pre-election disputes.

The bill, which was passed during plenary on Thursday, seeks to amend key provisions of the Electoral Act to provide clearer legal guidelines on the handling of pre-election matters, particularly regarding which courts have the authority to hear such cases.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission, Simon Lalong, who led the presentation of the report, said the amendment was necessary to close existing legal loopholes that have contributed to delays, conflicting judgments, and prolonged electoral litigation.

Lalong explained that the bill specifically amends Section 29 of the Electoral Act and introduces a new Section 29A to clearly define the jurisdiction of courts in pre-election cases, especially disputes arising from party primaries, candidate nominations, and eligibility issues.

According to him, the amendment is designed to reduce the practice of forum shopping, where litigants seek favorable judgments from different courts, often resulting in contradictory decisions that complicate the electoral process.

Lawmakers during deliberations noted that the reform is part of broader efforts by the National Assembly to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions and improve the credibility of elections ahead of future electoral cycles.

Political analysts and legal experts have described the passage of the bill as a significant step toward enhancing transparency, consistency, and efficiency in election-related judicial processes. They argue that a clearer legal framework could help reduce unnecessary courtroom battles and ensure quicker resolution of electoral disputes.

The bill is expected to proceed to the House of Representatives of Nigeria for concurrence before being transmitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent, after which it could become part of Nigeria’s electoral laws.

If signed into law, the amendment is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the legal framework for future elections and strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.