The Senate on Tuesday amended Clause 28 of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, reducing the statutory notice period for elections from 360 days to 300 days, a move that effectively allows the 2027 general elections to be conducted between December 2026 and January 2027.

The amendment grants the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) greater flexibility in fixing election dates and addresses concerns that the earlier timeline could force polls into the Muslim fasting period of Ramadan.

The revised Clause 28 now provides that the Commission shall, “not later than 300 days before the day appointed for holding of an election under this Bill, publish a notice in each State of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory stating the date of the election and appointing the place for submission of nomination papers.”

The change was effected during clause-by-clause consideration of the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026, following a motion for rescission and recommittal moved by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele.

Bamidele explained that a critical review of the earlier version of the bill showed that the 360-day notice requirement could compel the scheduling of the Presidential and National Assembly elections during Ramadan, with possible negative consequences for voter turnout, logistics, stakeholder participation, and the overall credibility of the electoral process.

He also drew attention to several technical inconsistencies in the bill, including errors in the Long Title and multiple clauses—among them Clauses 6, 9, 10, 22, 23, 28, 29, 32, 42, 47, 51, 60, 62, 64, 65, 73, 77, 86, 87, 89, 93, and 143—affecting cross-referencing, numbering, and internal coherence.

Rowdy Proceedings

Proceedings were briefly disrupted as the Senate entered clause-by-clause deliberations following the successful motion to rescind the earlier passage of the bill and reconstitute itself into the Committee of the Whole.

Tension peaked at Clause 60 when Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC, Abia South) raised a point of order, triggering murmurs and consultations across the chamber and eventually forcing a brief closed-door session.

Following the reopening, the Senate passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill after a heated debate over Clause 60(3), which allows for manual transmission of election results where electronic transmission fails.

Abaribe demanded a division on the clause, calling for the removal of the proviso permitting manual transmission. After a voice vote was disputed, Senate President Godswill Akpabio ordered a physical division. At the end of the exercise, 55 senators voted in favour of retaining the proviso, while 15 opposed it.

Election Dates Controversy

The amendment comes against the backdrop of concerns over the election timetable released by Independent National Electoral Commission on February 13, which fixed the Presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, and governorship and state assembly polls for March 6, 2027.

The dates drew criticism from several quarters, particularly Muslim groups, who warned that elections during Ramadan could affect voter participation and operational efficiency.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also urged INEC to reconsider the February 20 date, citing its overlap with the fasting period.

Responding to the concerns, INEC said it had taken note of stakeholders’ views and was consulting widely, adding that it may seek legislative intervention where necessary, provided any adjustment remains consistent with constitutional and statutory provisions.

The Senate’s amendment is widely seen as a legislative response to these concerns, potentially clearing the path for an earlier election window ahead of Ramadan.