A bill allowing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct all elections on the same day has successfully passed its second reading in the Senate.
The bill, introduced by Saliu Mustapha, the senator for Kwara Central, proposes that presidential, governorship, national, and state assembly elections be held nationwide on the same day.
In addition, the bill aims to reduce the financial and logistical challenges faced by political parties and candidates by shortening the campaign period. It also suggests that elected officials, including the president, vice-president, governors, and lawmakers, be allowed to serve as ad hoc delegates during their party congresses.
Leading the debate, Mustapha highlighted the increasing cost of elections, noting that the expenses had escalated from N1.5 billion in 1999 to N350 billion in 2023.
“The current staggered election process is both costly and inefficient. Holding all elections on the same day will save costs, increase voter participation, and alleviate political tensions,” Mustapha said.
He also pointed to countries such as the United States, India, and Brazil, where same-day elections are the norm, suggesting that Nigeria could benefit from adopting a similar approach.
“By adopting this method, we can streamline our electoral process, making it more efficient and less expensive,” he added.
The bill received widespread support from senators, many of whom agreed that holding all elections on the same day could enhance the credibility of the electoral process.
However, some lawmakers raised concerns about INEC’s ability to manage nationwide elections in a single day.
“While the bill has good intentions, we must ensure that INEC is fully equipped to handle the massive task of conducting elections at all levels of government in one day,” said Adams Oshiomhole, senator for Edo North.
“We also need to consider the potential confusion that multiple ballot papers might cause, particularly among less literate voters.”
Barau Jibrin, the Deputy Senate President, who presided over the plenary, reassured Oshiomhole that the bill would undergo further scrutiny at the committee level.
“We will engage with stakeholders to evaluate its feasibility and address any potential challenges,” Jibrin assured.
