Nigeria’s House of Representatives says work on the Electoral Amendment (Reform) Bill is at the harmonisation stage as lawmakers try to agree on changes ahead of the 2027 polls.
The House spokesman, Hon. Akintunde Rotimi, defended the delay and said the process requires “constitutional and procedural requirements that demand broad consensus, stakeholder engagement, and harmonisation between the two chambers of the National Assembly.”
The Senate has set up a seven-member committee to distil senators’ views and reconcile differences with the lower chamber, a move officials say is part of the harmonisation effort.
“The committee will consolidate lawmakers’ positions and resolve outstanding issues,” reporting on the Senate said.
Opposition parties and civil society warn the pace is risky.
The African Democratic Congress said it is “deeply concerned by the continued prevarications of the National Assembly,” adding delays could leave little time for parties and INEC to meet new rules — including a provision that requires INEC to publish election notices 360 days before a general election.
Civil society groups repeat the warning.
Clement Nwankwo of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre said delays “threaten the credibility, certainty and public trust required for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.”
Lawmakers say they are balancing speed with care and that harmonisation will produce a stable, workable law.
But with INEC’s timetable and the 360-day notice deadline looming, stakeholders say the National Assembly must finish its work quickly to avoid legal and logistical problems.
