The National Assembly on Tuesday passed the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026, following a tense session in the Senate marked by disputes over specific provisions.

The upper chamber resumed proceedings with a demand for a division on Clause 60, raised by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC/Abia South). The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, noted that he believed the demand had previously been withdrawn, prompting immediate objections from opposition senators.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin cited Order 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, arguing it was improper to revisit a provision already ruled upon. The intervention triggered an uproar, with Senator Sunday Karimi briefly confronting Abaribe. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele reminded colleagues that his motion to rescind the bill rendered earlier decisions non-binding, aligning Abaribe’s demand with procedural rules.

Abaribe formally moved for a division under Order 72(1) on Clause 60(3), which addresses the electronic transmission of election results. The clause provides that Form EC8A should not be the sole basis if electronic transmission fails, allowing for manual submission in such events. Fifteen senators opposed this proviso, while 55 voted in favor, confirming its inclusion in the amended law.

Earlier, the Senate conducted a clause-by-clause review of the Electoral Act following Bamidele’s motion to rescind the earlier passage. Discussions focused on the technical and timing implications of the law for the 2027 general elections. Concerns were raised that Clause 28’s requirement for elections to be scheduled at least 360 days before the end of tenure could conflict with INEC’s announced February 2027 election timetable and coincide with Ramadan, potentially affecting voter turnout and electoral logistics. Other discrepancies were noted across Clauses 6, 9, 10, 22, 23, 28, 29, 32, 42, 47, 51, 60, 62, 64, 65, 73, 77, 86, 87, 89, 93, and 143, including cross-referencing, serial numbering, and internal consistency issues.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives also passed the Electoral Act 2026 in the afternoon. House Spokesperson Rep. Akin Rotimi described the passage as historic, noting that while some opposition members staged a walkout, others remained and voted in favor. Rotimi emphasized that the amendment was intended to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process, allowing for manual results transmission if electronic systems fail, and reflected the democratic principle of accommodating differing views.

He expressed confidence in Nigeria’s democratisation process, describing the legislative division as “the beauty of democracy,” and reiterated that the amendments respond to the needs and expectations of Nigerians.