In a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral system, the Senate has passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2025 for second reading, introducing a significant proposal to make the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) bear the burden of proof in election petition cases.
The announcement was made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Wednesday’s plenary, following a voice vote in which a majority of lawmakers supported the bill.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South) — who also chairs the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters — was referred to the same committee for further deliberation and a public hearing, with a directive to report back within two weeks.
Originally presented for second reading last Thursday, the bill was temporarily stepped down to allow for wider consultation before being reintroduced for debate.
Presenting the bill, Lalong noted that while the Electoral Act 2022 had introduced important reforms, it also exposed several weaknesses, including delays in the release of election funds, disputes over voter registers, conflicting interpretations of electronic result transmission, and weak enforcement of electoral offences.
He explained that the new amendment seeks to enhance INEC’s independence, shielding it from political interference and executive influence.
During debate, several senators argued that the current legal framework, which places the burden of proof on petitioners, often frustrates efforts to achieve electoral justice. They maintained that since INEC conducts elections, it should be required to prove that polls were free, fair, and credible when challenged in court.
Lawmakers also expressed concern about the growing influence of political actors over democratic institutions, urging for greater financial and technological support for INEC to improve transparency and efficiency in future elections.
Commending the initiative, Senate President Akpabio said Nigeria’s electoral system has improved since 2015 but stressed that more reforms were needed.
“Elections have improved in the country since the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) left power. We have made progress, but we are not yet there,” Akpabio remarked.
He called for sustained legislative efforts to ensure greater transparency, public trust, and credibility in Nigeria’s electoral process.