Nigeria’s House of Representatives has taken a decisive step toward tightening electoral integrity, approving sweeping amendments to the Electoral Act that significantly raise the cost of electoral malpractice, especially vote buying and selling.
Under the newly approved provisions, anyone caught trading votes or voter cards now risks a minimum of two years in prison, a fine of up to ₦5 million, or both.
In addition, offenders will be barred from contesting elections for 10 years, marking one of the toughest sanctions yet proposed in Nigeria’s electoral framework.
The amendments were adopted during a detailed clause-by-clause review by the Committee of the Whole, chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, following the submission of a report by the House Committee on Electoral Matters.
Lawmakers agreed that the previous penalties, capped at N500,000 or two years’ imprisonment, were no longer sufficient to deter the growing menace of vote trading.
Hence, the revised law seeks to raise the stakes for offenders and discourage election-day inducements.
Moreover, the House approved a major reform compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission to transmit election results electronically from polling units to the INEC Result Viewing Portal in real time.
This process must occur simultaneously with the physical collation of results.
According to the new provision, electronic transmission will no longer be optional, a move legislators believe will reduce manipulation and improve public trust in election outcomes.
Sanctions were also stiffened for election officials. Presiding officers who deliberately violate procedures for counting, announcing, or transmitting results now face a minimum fine of ₦500,000, at least six months’ imprisonment, or both.
In addition, the House moved to strengthen INEC’s operational capacity by approving a clause that mandates the release of election funds at least one year before a general election.
Lawmakers argued that early funding would allow better planning and smoother execution of polls.
To further address electoral fraud, penalties for multiple voter registration were increased. Offenders will now face a minimum of one year in prison or a ₦100,000 fine, or both, under the amended law.
Political parties were not left out. The House extended the deadline for submitting candidates’ lists to INEC from 180 days to 210 days before elections, giving the commission additional time to verify and process nominations.
Furthermore, legislators approved the use of electronically generated voter identification, including downloadable voter cards embedded with unique QR codes, or any other digital method approved by INEC, for voter accreditation and participation.
Briefing journalists after the session, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Adebayo Balongun, said the lawmakers had abandoned plans to repeal the Electoral Act 2022 entirely, opting instead for targeted amendments.
Balongun explained that broader reform proposals failed to attract sufficient consensus within the National Assembly and among key stakeholders.
“What we have done is focus on areas where agreement exists and where reforms can immediately strengthen the electoral process,” he said.
He noted that earlier proposals under the Electoral Bill 2025 included early voting, inmate voting, and a complete overhaul of the Permanent Voters’ Card system.
However, those ideas, according to him, did not enjoy widespread legislative or stakeholder support.
Consideration of the remaining clauses of the amendment bill is ongoing, as the House continues work on what lawmakers describe as a pragmatic overhaul of Nigeria’s electoral laws.