ABUJA, Nigeria – A bill to enable the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct all elections on the same day has passed its second reading in the Nigerian Senate.
Sponsored by Saliu Mustapha, the senator representing Kwara Central, the bill proposes that presidential, governorship, national assembly, and state assembly elections be held nationwide on a single day.
The legislation aims to streamline the electoral process and alleviate the financial and logistical burdens currently placed on political parties and candidates.
One of the key provisions of the bill is to shorten the campaign period, further reducing costs and enhancing efficiency.
In his presentation, Mustapha highlighted the rising costs associated with the electoral process, noting that expenses had ballooned from N1.5 billion in 1999 to an estimated 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,” Mustapha said.
Citing examples from countries such as the United States, India, and Brazil, where same-day elections are the norm, Mustapha argued that Nigeria could benefit similarly by adopting this approach.
“By adopting this approach, we can streamline our electoral process, making it more efficient and less costly,” he added.
The bill received support from many senators, who agreed that holding all elections on the same day could enhance the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
However, some lawmakers expressed concerns about the feasibility of executing such a large-scale electoral operation in a single day.
Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo North, raised concerns about INEC’s preparedness to handle nationwide elections on a single day.
“While the bill has good intentions, we must ensure that INEC is adequately prepared for the enormous task of conducting elections for all levels of government in one day,” he said.
He also warned that multiple ballot papers could confuse illiterate voters.
In response to these concerns, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary, assured Oshiomhole that the bill would undergo further scrutiny at the committee level.
“We will engage with stakeholders to assess its feasibility and address any potential challenges,” Jibrin said.
