Why Early Elections Matter – House Committee Chair

The Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2025: A Comprehensive Overview

Adebayo Balogun, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, has provided insights into the rationale behind the proposal for general elections to be held in November 2026. This proposal has sparked considerable debate among stakeholders and the public, raising questions about its implications and potential motivations.

Current Status of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill

At this stage, the House is still in the public hearing phase of the electoral act amendment bill 2025. As such, there is no official position from the House yet. Balogun emphasized that speculation is premature, as the proposal is still under consideration. He explained that the House’s position will only be finalized after the third reading of the bill. Until then, all discussions remain speculative.

The documents related to the bill were circulated during the public hearings, and they are described as explicit enough to address concerns. However, some provisions have raised eyebrows, particularly the proposal to hold elections in November 2026 instead of February 2027.

Rationale Behind the Election Date Proposal

Balogun clarified that the proposed change in election date is aimed at providing sufficient time to conclude litigations arising from the elections. He pointed out that the minimum time required for litigation is six months, which means that if the new president is to be sworn in in May 2027, the elections would need to be held by November 2026.

This provision was not initiated by the House but rather by civil society organizations (CSOs) and the public, who have expressed a desire for litigations to be resolved before the swearing-in ceremony. Balogun acknowledged that while this may seem convenient, it is the earliest possible date based on the current legal framework.

Addressing Concerns About Political Bias

Some stakeholders have raised concerns that the proposed amendment might favor the incumbent president and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Balogun responded by questioning whether these critics are the same individuals who advocated for concluding litigations before swearing in. He posed a rhetorical question: “Can you eat your cake and still have it?” implying that without adequate time for litigation, the goal of resolving disputes before the swearing-in cannot be achieved.

He also noted that some political parties have expressed discomfort with the 2026 election date, as they had already planned for 2027. However, he stressed that the law should reflect what is agreed upon collectively, and public hearings are a crucial step in this process. During the hearings, many participants supported the proposal, indicating a general consensus.

The Role of the House and Public Participation

Balogun highlighted that the committee, which is less than 10% of the total House, is compiling input from the public. The final decision will be made through a general vote in the House, where all parties, including Labour and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), will have a say. He encouraged citizens to engage with their representatives to support or oppose specific provisions during the consideration phase.

Constitutional Implications

It is important to note that the timeline for elections is currently enshrined in the constitution, not the Electoral Act. Therefore, any changes to this timeline require amending the constitution. Balogun explained that the proposed amendment aims to move the timeline from the constitution to the Electoral Act, making future amendments more straightforward. This would eliminate the need to go through the cumbersome process of amending the constitution, which involves approval from the states.

Impact on Other Provisions

Some stakeholders have questioned whether the removal of the November 2026 election date provision would affect other parts of the proposed amendments. Balogun clarified that the removal of this provision would not impact the other elements of the bill. He emphasized the importance of completing the constitution review in sync with the Electoral Act amendment to ensure consistency and avoid delays.

Preparations for the Elections

Concerns have been raised about the feasibility of holding elections in November 2026, with some arguing that it may be too early for proper preparations. Balogun countered that candidates and stakeholders still have over a year to prepare, regardless of the election date. He stated, “If you are not prepared, you are not prepared.”

Conclusion

The proposal for general elections to be held in November 2026 is part of a broader effort to streamline the electoral process and ensure that litigations are resolved before the swearing-in of the new president. While the proposal is still under consideration, it reflects the input of various stakeholders, including CSOs and the public. The final decision will be made through a democratic process in the House, with all political parties having a voice in the outcome.