Nigerian National Assembly to Amend Electoral Act to Curb Vote-Buying

The Nigerian National Assembly is set to fine-tune the Electoral Act to address outstanding issues and tackle vote-buying before the 2027 general elections. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, highlighted the Act as a major legislative priority for 2026.

The proposed amendments aim to introduce stricter sanctions, such as a N5 million fine, two-year imprisonment, and a 10-year ban on contesting elections for electoral offenses like falsification and obstruction of electoral officials. Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Leader, emphasized the need to conclude the amendment process promptly to reinforce the Senate's position.

The bill also includes provisions for electronic voter identification, QR codes, and standardized delegate selection for party primaries. INEC is expected to submit a report on these proposed changes.

The legislators also discussed the 2026 budget and ongoing constitutional amendments during the plenary session in Abuja.