The Nigerian Senate has passed for a second reading a bill seeking to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to mandate the conduct of all elections in a single day.

Sponsored by Senator Saliu Mustapha (APC, Kwara Central), the bill aims to cut election costs, reduce political tension, and streamline the voting process. Currently, presidential and National Assembly elections are held in February, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections take place in March.

Leading the debate on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB.701), Mustapha lamented the rising financial burden of elections on the government, noting that election expenses had ballooned from N1.5 billion in 1999 to N350 billion in 2023.

“The current staggered election process is expensive and inefficient. Conducting all elections on the same day will save costs, boost voter participation, and reduce political tension,” he argued, citing countries like the United States, India, and Brazil as successful examples of same-day elections.

The bill also seeks to shorten campaign periods to further cut costs and proposes an amendment allowing elected officeholders—including the President, Vice President, Governors, and lawmakers—to serve as ad hoc delegates in their respective party congresses. Mustapha described their current exclusion as an “oversight” that needed correction.

However, concerns remain over Nigeria’s logistical readiness. Senator Adams Oshiomhole cautioned that while the bill has merit, INEC must be fully equipped to handle the complexities of conducting nationwide elections in a single day.

Civil Society’s Role

With cost reduction being a key argument for this amendment, civil society organizations (CSOs) are expected to play a crucial role in tracking financial transparency and electoral preparedness. Observers will also need to assess whether INEC can execute such a large-scale election efficiently without compromising credibility.