‎The Senate has amended Clause 28 of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, slashing the notice of election requirements by 60 days, from 360 days to 300,
‎This leaves the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the flexibility to fix the election dates between December 2026 and January 2027.
‎The amendment was effected on Tuesday during the clause-by-clause consideration of the reworked Electoral Act Amendment bill
‎This came after the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, raised a motion on the Rescission and Re-Committal of the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026.
‎Opeyemi noted that upon critical review of the passed bill, the 360-day notice requirement prescribed in Clause 28 could result in the scheduling of the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections during the Ramadan period.
‎According to him, holding elections during Ramadan could negatively affect voter turnout, logistical coordination, stakeholder participation, and the overall inclusiveness and credibility of the electoral process.
Edited by Favour Owonibi.