22/10/2025
SENATOR LALONG'S BILL ON ELECTORAL AMENDMENT PASSES SECOND READING AS SENATORS GIVE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT
The Bill to amend the 2022 Electoral Act and re-enact a new Electoral Act 2025 sponsored by Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District and Chairman Committee on Electoral Matters Senator Simon Bako Lalong has passed second reading.
This follows exhaustive discussions on the general principles of the Bill which was presented on the floor of the Senate by Senator Lalong.
Recall that last week, Senator Lalong presented the lead debate on the general principles of the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2025 (SB 903).
He said the alterations being canvassed align with acceptable norms that would impact positively on the country’s electoral process that the people yearn for. The key objectives of the proposed legislation according to him are:
1. To bring about improvement in the electoral process by ensuring transparency, efficiency and integrity of the electoral system;
2. To ensure there is free and fair competitions where all political parties are given equal opportunities to compete favorably in elections;
3. To ensure that outcomes of elections reflect the will of the people;
4. To reduce electoral malpractices by setting stricter punitive measures to serve as deterrence to electoral malpractices;
5. To enhance voters’ confidence and participation in the elections, thereby reducing voters’ apathy; and
6. To further strengthen the independence of INEC by insulating it from incessant and unnecessary interference from the government and political parties, etc.
When the Senate resumed deliberations on the Bill this Wednesday 22nd October 2025, Senators unanimously supported the Bill and agreed that there is urgent need to address the loopholes noted in the 2022 Electoral Act so as to safeguard future elections.
They submitted that issues such as the mandatory use of technology, election security, punishment for erring INEC officials, transparent party primaries, logistics management, diaspora and early voting, burden to prove integrity of election outcomes among others need to be looked into closely in order to make elections credible and build confidence of the people.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended his colleagues for robustly contributing to the debate and passing it.
He urged the Chairman and members to do a thorough job as they proceed on another retreat before the report is brought before the Senate for further consideration.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Special Adviser Media to Senator Simon Bako Lalong, Plateau South Senatorial District.
22nd October 2025.
