The Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Adebayo Balogun has announced plans for a 2025 Electoral Act to replace the current 2022 version.
Balogun said the old version had exposed gaps during the 2023 elections.
He made the announcement at a consultative meeting with security operatives and the technical committee on electoral law amendments in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
“The 2022 Electoral Act was a significant step forward, but its implementation in the last general election showed areas that needed improvement. We are committed to strengthening our electoral laws to reflect the realities of our democracy,” Balogun said.
Increase Awareness
He emphasised that, apart from legislative reforms, there was a need for increased awareness among political parties, INEC officials, and civil society organisations on the dangers of vote-buying and other electoral malpractices.
“The Nigerian people deserve an electoral process they can trust. We must ensure that our laws are not just strong on paper but are also effectively enforced,” Balogun said.
He also assured the forum that all issues discussed would be addressed in future electoral reforms.
The Senate Chairman on Electoral Matters, Sharafadeen Alli, said that while the 2022 Electoral Act was initially considered comprehensive, its implementation revealed gaps that must be closed.
“This meeting is a step towards strengthening our electoral system. The reforms we propose must reflect lessons learned from past elections and ensure that our democracy continues to evolve positively,” Alli said.
