The Nigerian Senate has amended Clause 28 of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, reducing the mandatory notice period for elections from 360 days to 300 days.
The revision grants the Independent National Electoral Commission greater flexibility in scheduling the 2027 general elections.
Under the amended provision, INEC must publish notice of elections not later than 300 days before the date fixed for polls.
The notice is to be issued in every state and the Federal Capital Territory, specifying election dates and locations for submission of nomination papers.
The amendment was adopted during clause-by-clause consideration of the reworked bill following a motion for rescission moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.
Bamidele explained that retaining the earlier 360-day requirement could force the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections to coincide with Ramadan.
He warned that conducting elections during the fasting period might affect voter turnout, logistics and overall participation.
The lawmakers also identified drafting inconsistencies in several sections of the bill, including cross-referencing and numbering errors.
Proceedings were briefly disrupted when senators began detailed consideration of the bill.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio presided over the session as clauses were examined sequentially.
Debate intensified at Clause 60 when Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe raised a point of order.
The disagreement led to murmurs across the chamber and a temporary closed-door session before plenary resumed.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin cited procedural rules against reopening matters already ruled upon.
Abaribe later demanded a division on provisions concerning manual transmission of results where electronic systems fail.
During voting, 55 senators supported retaining the proviso, while 15 opposed it.
The upper chamber subsequently passed the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2026.
INEC had earlier scheduled the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, with governorship polls set for March 6.
The proposed February date sparked concern among some Nigerians due to its overlap with Ramadan.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar publicly urged the commission to reconsider the timing.
In response, INEC said it was consulting stakeholders and may seek legislative intervention if adjustments become necessary.
The amendment to Clause 28 is expected to provide room for a more suitable election timetable while remaining within constitutional limits.
