The House of Representatives on Wednesday moved closer to overhauling Nigeria’s electoral framework, approving and amending key clauses of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill aimed at strengthening the powers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), tightening electoral procedures, and addressing gaps exposed during recent elections.

The bill was considered clause by clause at plenary, with lawmakers adopting several provisions designed to enhance transparency, improve the conduct of elections, and reduce post-election disputes.

Clauses 3, 5, and 6, which deal with preliminary provisions and key interpretations under the Act, were approved to align existing definitions with current electoral practices.

The House also adopted Clauses 10 and 12, reinforcing INEC’s authority over the organisation, supervision, and management of elections, including logistics and deployment of electoral personnel.

Lawmakers approved Clauses 18 and 22 on voter registration and the compilation, maintenance, and display of the voters’ register, with amendments intended to curb manipulation and ensure greater inclusion of eligible voters.

Significant amendments were made to Clauses 23 and 29, which relate to the nomination of candidates by political parties and the submission of candidates’ lists to INEC. The changes seek to clarify timelines, strengthen compliance, and enhance INEC’s oversight of political parties.

Clauses 31, 32, and 34, bordering on party primaries, publication of candidates’ particulars, and qualifications for elective offices, were also approved as part of efforts to address pre-election irregularities.

Further approvals were recorded for Clauses 47, 50, and 54, which touch on voting procedures, voter accreditation, and the use of technology in elections, reaffirming the legal backing for INEC’s deployment of electronic systems.

Clause 60, as amended, addresses the declaration of results, while Clause 62 strengthens provisions on the collation, transmission, and custody of results to reduce disputes arising from election outcomes.

The House also adopted Clauses 64 and 65 on electoral offences and penalties, signaling a tougher stance against malpractice, including vote-buying and other violations of the law.

Clauses 71 and 73, dealing with election petitions and timelines for the resolution of disputes, were approved, while Clause 74 was adopted with amendments to further streamline post-election legal processes.

However, consideration of Section 51 was stepped down and deferred to a subsequent plenary. The Deputy Speaker, who presided, ruled that the provision was not contained in the committee report before the House and could not be taken in line with the House Rules.

The committee’s report on the bill was adopted as a working document, paving the way for continued deliberations on outstanding provisions.

Add TheNigeriaLawyer On Google News _______________________________________________________________________ New Year Promo: Get Five Maritime Law Books For N150,000 — 63% Discount The promotion, which commenced on January 8 and runs until February 8, 2026, offers five core maritime law books authored by Dr. Emeka Akabogu, SAN, ordinarily valued at N405,000, for just N150,000 — a 63% discount. Interested buyers can place their orders through the following channels: Phone: 0704 329 3271 Online Store: https://paystack.shop/aa-bookstore Website: www.akabogulaw.com _______________________________________________________________________ The Law And Practice Of Redundancy In Nigeria: A Practitioner’s Guide, Authored By A Labour & Employment Law Expert Bimbo Atilola _______________________________________________________________________

[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials

“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.

Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation

______________________________________________________________________ ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR LAWYERS: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE Reimagine your practice with the power of AI “...this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic.” — Ohio Books Ltd Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe, Esq., ACIArb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria. Bonus: Get a FREE eBook titled “How to Use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion” with every purchase.

How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌐 Website: www.benadigwe.com

Ebook Version: Access directly online at: https://selar.com/prv626