The Nigerian Senate has reconstituted a 12-member Electoral Act Conference Committee as part of renewed efforts to harmonise proposed amendments to the Electoral Act, amid mounting public protests over electoral reforms.
Senator Simon Bako Lalong was appointed chairman of the committee, which is mandated to work with its counterpart in the House of Representatives to reconcile differences in the amendment bill and produce a unified version for passage by the National Assembly.
The move is seen as a critical step toward strengthening Nigeria’s electoral legal framework ahead of future elections, including the 2027 general polls. Lawmakers expressed optimism that the harmonisation process would resolve contentious provisions and enhance transparency, credibility, and efficiency in the conduct of elections nationwide.
The reconstitution comes against the backdrop of sustained protests in Abuja, where Nigerian youths, under the banner of the “Occupy National Assembly” movement, have been demonstrating against the Senate’s position on the electronic transmission of election results.
Prominent political figures have also joined the protests. Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, were both seen among demonstrators on Monday and Tuesday.
Protesters carried placards and chanted slogans demanding the reinstatement of electronic transmission provisions and greater openness in the legislative process surrounding electoral reforms.
The protests underscored growing public interest and concern over the direction of electoral amendments, as Nigerians continue to call for reforms that guarantee credible, transparent, and technology-driven elections.
