The Senate has passed for second reading a bill seeking to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to mandate the conduct of all elections on the same day.

Sponsored by Senator Saliu Mustapha (APC, Kwara Central), the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB.701) proposes:

• Holding Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship, and State Assembly elections on the same day
• Shortening the campaign period to cut election costs
• Allowing elected officials to serve as ad hoc delegates in party congresses

Leading the debate, Mustapha criticized the rising election costs, noting that spending jumped from N1.5 billion in 1999 to N350 billion in 2023.

“The current staggered election process is expensive and inefficient. Conducting all elections in one day will reduce costs, boost voter participation, and ease political tension,” he argued.

He cited examples from the U.S., India, and Brazil, where same-day elections have streamlined the process and cut costs.

However, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) raised concerns over the feasibility of implementing same-day elections.

“We must ensure that INEC is fully prepared to handle the logistics of conducting elections for all levels of government in a single day,” he cautioned.

He also warned that voters, especially those with limited literacy, might struggle with multiple ballot papers in a single election day, leading to confusion.

The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters for further legislative action.