House of Reps pushes for same-day elections for all political offices
House of Reps pushes for same-day elections for all political offices
The House of Representatives is weighing a proposal to conduct presidential, governorship, and legislative elections on the same day as part of ongoing reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas revealed this during a meeting with a European Union delegation in Abuja, explaining that the initiative is designed to boost efficiency, cut costs, and improve voter participation.
Abbas noted that holding all elections simultaneously would also enhance credibility and address the challenge of declining voter turnout.
Under the proposed reform, presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and State Assembly elections would take place on a single day, replacing the current practice of staging them over several weeks.
Supporters of the proposal argue it will help cut election costs, reduce political tension, improve voter turnout, and minimise logistical and security challenges often associated with Nigeria’s lengthy election periods.
Abbas said the house is committed to far-reaching electoral reforms, noting that the proposed constitutional amendments cover reserved seats for women and persons with disabilities, financial autonomy and defined roles for traditional rulers, and the conduct of all national elections on a single day, among others.
“Like the single-day election, it is to hold the election of the president, national assembly membership, governorship, and state house of assembly membership elections on the same day,” he said.
“In our view, this measure will streamline the electoral process and help improve voter turnout,” Abbas said.
He appealed to the EU delegation for support through advocacy and public awareness, stressing that state assemblies must also give their approval for the proposed reforms to succeed.
The Speaker assured that the National Assembly would provide the necessary legislative backing to equip INEC with the tools and legal framework required to deliver a more credible election in 2027 than in 2023.
The legislature is currently amending the 1999 Constitution, with votes on the alteration bills expected later this month. Previous attempts by past assemblies to pass the same-day election bill, however, were unsuccessful.
