The House of Representatives has approved targeted amendments to the Electoral Act, introducing stiffer penalties for vote buying and selling. Offenders now face a minimum of two years’ imprisonment, a N5 million fine, or both, along with a 10-year ban from contesting elections.
The changes, adopted during a clause-by-clause review of the House Committee on Electoral Matters’ report led by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu, also include measures to improve election transparency. Section 60(3) now requires the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit polling unit results electronically to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) in real time, alongside physical collation. Presiding officers who violate result transmission or announcement procedures face a minimum six-month jail term, a N500,000 fine, or both.
Other key reforms include:
- Releasing election funds to INEC at least a year before polls.
- Raising penalties for multiple voter registration to a minimum N100,000 fine or one-year imprisonment, or both.
- Extending the deadline for political parties to submit candidate lists from 180 to 210 days before elections.
- Allowing electronically generated voter identification, including downloadable voter cards with unique QR codes.
Chairman of the House Committee, Adebayo Balogun, said lawmakers opted for targeted amendments rather than repealing the Electoral Act 2022, after broader proposals like early voting, inmate voting, and PVC replacement failed to gain wide support.
Balogun described the changes as “very meaningful,” aimed at strengthening the law, closing gaps, and improving election administration. He emphasized that the process was consultative, involving INEC, security agencies, civil society, political parties, and citizens, ensuring reforms are inclusive and transparent.
“Our goal is to ensure that every election in Nigeria is transparent, secure, and truly reflective of the will of the people,” Balogun said.