Electoral Shake-Up: House of Reps Approves Bill for Simultaneous Elections & 38 Other Major Amendments

The latest news now is that in a significant move aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s electoral and governance framework, the House of Representatives has passed a bill mandating that all general elections—including presidential, governorship, National Assembly, state Houses of Assembly, and local government elections—be conducted simultaneously on the same day.

The bill, along with 38 other constitutional amendment bills, successfully scaled through the second reading in the House on Tuesday, setting the stage for far-reaching changes to Nigeria’s democratic process.

Key Highlights of the Constitutional Amendments

1. Simultaneous Elections for All Political Offices
   • The bill proposes that elections for the President, governors, lawmakers, and local government chairpersons be conducted on the same day.
   • Supporters argue that this reform will reduce election costs, curb electoral violence, and enhance voter turnout.
2. Establishment of State and Local Government Police
   • Another major amendment seeks to legalize state and local government policing to address Nigeria’s security challenges.
   • If passed into law, this could decentralize policing and strengthen law enforcement at grassroots levels.
3. Creation of FCT House of Assembly
   • The bill aims to establish a legislative body for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), allowing residents greater self-governance.
4. Court of Appeal as Final Arbiter in Election Petitions
   • A proposed amendment would make the Court of Appeal the final authority on governorship, National Assembly, and state House of Assembly election disputes, instead of the Supreme Court.
5. Compulsory Resignation of Political Party Executives Seeking Elective Offices
   • This amendment seeks to prevent party officials from using their positions to gain an unfair advantage during elections.
6. Completion of Election Petitions Before Swearing-in of Elected Officials
   • The bill proposes that all appeals arising from election tribunals be concluded before the President-elect, Vice President-elect, governors, and lawmakers take office.
7. INEC to Conduct Local Government Elections
   • The bill seeks to strip State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) of the power to conduct local government elections and transfer the responsibility to INEC.
   • Proponents argue that this will ensure greater transparency and fairness in local elections.
8. Mandatory Official Resignation Before Defection
   • Lawmakers will be required to resign officially before defecting to another political party.
9. Expansion of Supreme Court Justices
   • A bill proposes increasing the number of Supreme Court justices to enhance judicial efficiency and speed up case resolutions.
10. Political Parties Registration and Regulatory Commission

• A new independent body will be established to oversee the registration, regulation, and monitoring of political parties.

Other Constitutional Amendment Bills Passed by the House of Representatives

In addition to the high-profile bills on simultaneous elections, state police, and electoral reforms, the House of Representatives also passed several other constitutional amendments aimed at strengthening governance, improving the judiciary, and ensuring financial accountability. Below are some of the notable bills:

11. Special Seats for Physically Challenged Persons in Legislative Houses

• This bill seeks to allocate reserved seats in the National Assembly, state Houses of Assembly, and local government councils for persons with disabilities.
• Lawmakers argue that this will enhance inclusivity and representation for marginalized groups.

12. Special Interest Seats in the House of Representatives

• The amendment proposes six reserved seats in the House of Representatives for special interest groups to ensure diverse representation in legislative decision-making.

13. Renaming of the Auditor-General of the Federation

• The bill seeks to change the official title of the Auditor-General of the Federation to the Auditor-General of the Federal Government for clarity and proper role designation.

14. Strengthening Financial Autonomy of the Auditor-General’s Office

• An amendment to remove constitutional restrictions on the powers and duties of the Auditor-General of the Federation and states.
• The bill also seeks to ensure the financial independence of the Auditor-General’s office to enhance transparency and accountability in government spending.

15. Establishment of the National Local Government Electoral Commission (NALGEC)

• This bill proposes the creation of an independent body responsible for organizing and supervising elections into local government councils nationwide.
• The aim is to replace state-controlled electoral commissions, which are often accused of conducting biased elections in favor of ruling parties at the state level.

16. Strengthening the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation and States

• This amendment seeks to empower the Auditor-General’s office to investigate financial irregularities across all levels of government, enhancing public sector accountability.

17. Political Parties Registration and Regulatory Commission

• The bill proposes the creation of an independent commission to regulate political parties, ensuring compliance with electoral laws and preventing the proliferation of inactive or fraudulent parties.

18. Expansion of the Supreme Court Bench

• The number of justices at the Supreme Court will be increased to improve efficiency in handling cases and reducing judicial delays.
• The expansion will also help the judiciary conform to federal character principles, ensuring regional representation.

19. Timelines for Election Tribunals and Appeals

• A bill to empower the National Assembly to alter timelines for election tribunals, ensuring that disputes are resolved before elected officials assume office.

20. Transfer of Local Government Elections to INEC

• This bill formally transfers the power to conduct local government elections from state electoral commissions to INEC, with the goal of improving election credibility.

Implications of the Constitutional Amendments

If fully enacted, these amendments will bring sweeping changes to Nigeria’s governance structure. Key impacts include:

• Reduced Cost of Elections – Holding all elections on the same day could significantly cut costs associated with multiple voting processes.
• Enhanced Electoral Transparency – Moving local government elections to INEC and resolving election disputes before swearing-in could improve election credibility.
• Improved Security – State and local government policing could provide localized solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges.
• Greater Inclusivity – Reserved seats for physically challenged persons and special interest groups would promote diversity in governance.
• Judicial Efficiency – Expanding the Supreme Court and setting clear election petition timelines will improve case management and justice delivery.

Strengthening Nigeria’s Electoral System

The House of Representatives emphasized that these amendments are aimed at strengthening democratic institutions, improving electoral credibility, and ensuring a more effective governance structure.

One of the most contentious proposals—the simultaneous conduct of elections—has sparked debate among political analysts. While some argue that it will eliminate staggered elections and electoral malpractice, others worry about the logistical challenges involved.

Meanwhile, the proposed state police bill has gained mixed reactions. Proponents believe it will enhance security and allow states to handle local crime more efficiently. However, critics warn that governors could misuse state police for political suppression.

Next Steps

With the bills passing the second reading, they will now move to the committee stage, where lawmakers will scrutinize their provisions before a final vote. If the amendments clear the legislative process, they will be sent to the state Houses of Assembly for ratification, as required by the constitutional amendment process.

The outcome of these proposals could significantly shape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.