Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Henry Owen
Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigerian Senate has unveiled proposals for stricter penalties targeting vote‑buying and other electoral offences as part of the ongoing overhaul of the country’s electoral legal framework ahead of the 2027 general elections. The Senate’s initiative is embedded in the Electoral Bill, 2025, which is currently under consideration by the National Assembly as lawmakers resume plenary sessions.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele disclosed the proposals in a statement issued on Monday, 26 January 2026, marking the resumption of the 10th National Assembly’s plenary. Bamidele emphasised that the proposed adjustments are aimed at strengthening the credibility of Nigeria’s elections and deterring entrenched malpractices that have undermined public trust in the democratic process.
Central to the proposed reforms are heightened sanctions for vote‑buying, a pervasive challenge often associated with electoral violence and distortion of voter will. Under the draft provisions, individuals found guilty of buying or selling votes would face fines of up to ₦5 million, imprisonment for up to two years, and a 10‑year ban from participating in elections as candidates. The recommended penalties aim to impose meaningful consequences that exceed the relatively limited punitive measures currently available under existing law.
The Electoral Bill, 2025 also proposes mandatory jail terms and increased fines for other offences that struck at the integrity of elections, including falsification of results and obstruction of election officials in the performance of their duties. Lawmakers are seeking to close loopholes that have in the past contributed to disputed outcomes and protracted litigation.
In addition to tougher penalties, the bill includes measures to modernise electoral administration, reflecting lessons drawn from Nigeria’s recent electoral cycles. One key innovation is the introduction of electronically generated voter identification cards equipped with unique QR codes intended to tighten voter verification and reduce identity manipulation at the polls. The bill further mandates the electronic transmission of polling unit results, including total accredited voter figures, directly from polling units to higher collation levels to minimise opportunities for result manipulation.
Standardising delegate selection for indirect primaries and formalising processes for party conventions are also featured in the proposed reforms. These provisions are intended to curb internal party influences that have historically contributed to contested primaries and parallel candidacies, which can weaken party cohesion and confuse voters.
Bamidele said the Senate has tasked relevant committees — including those overseeing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) — to finalise clause‑by‑clause reviews of the bill before it advances further in the legislative process. He emphasised that the reforms are critical to deepening democratic accountability and restoring confidence in electoral outcomes as Nigeria prepares for its next general elections.
While the Electoral Bill, 2025 represents an ambitious attempt to overhaul Nigeria’s electoral architecture, some analysts and stakeholders have cautioned that timely passage and implementation are essential. With the 2027 electoral cycle approaching, completing the legislative process and ensuring that new rules are operational before voter registration deadlines and election planning milestones remain significant challenges.
The tougher sanctions on vote‑buying and other malpractices reflect a growing legislative recognition that meaningful deterrents — coupled with technological enhancements and institutional reforms — are necessary to break cycles of impunity that have, at times, marred Nigeria’s democratic progress.
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