The 2022 Electoral Act would require the Independent National Electoral Commission to hold the national assembly, state assembly, presidential, and gubernatorial elections on the same day, according to a proposal made by the Inter-Party Advisory Council on Monday.
The current staggered election system raises long-standing concerns about its cost-effectiveness and practical difficulties, which have given rise to the proposed replacement.
This was disclosed on Monday during a stakeholder meeting between the joint committees of the National Assembly’s two chambers and the Independent National Electoral Commission.
According to IPAC, the current system is not financially viable since it divides up state House of Assembly, federal Assembly, presidential, and gubernatorial elections over several days.
IPAC has proposed an amendment to the Electoral Act, requiring all elections – presidential, National Assembly, governorship, and state House of Assembly – to be held on a single day. The current staggered system is not cost-effective, as it often leads to prolonged shutdowns and declining voter turnout. The IPAC argues that a single-day election would reduce costs, minimize disruptions, maintain voter enthusiasm, and address logistical challenges. The proposed amendment simplifies the process by reducing the need for repeated transportation and storage of sensitive electoral materials, and reduces the risk of logistical failures, delays, and potential loss or mishandling of electoral materials.
It stated, “Holding elections on a single day would improve the effectiveness, integrity, and affordability of Nigeria’s electoral process and is in line with global best practices.”
IPAC states that a one-day election is anticipated to sustain voter fervor and guarantee that participants stay involved for the duration of the procedure.
It went on to say that by lowering the possibility of electoral manipulation and defending voters’ rights, this strategy will improve the effectiveness and integrity of the democratic process.
It said that although the 2022 Electoral Act brought about a number of beneficial changes, it had also drawn criticism for its flaws.
The lack of explicit rules for the electronic transmission of results, the ambiguity surrounding the use of technology in elections, and the deficiency of protections against electoral manipulation were some of the major concerns brought up by IPAC and other interested parties.
“These difficulties, along with the Act’s inadequate safeguarding of voters’ rights and liberties, have prompted calls for a thorough review and amendment of the Act,” IPAC stated.
It emphasized that despite the constant improvements implemented since the Fourth Republic’s inception, political players have frequently figured out how to rig the system or avoid it altogether, requiring ongoing modifications to the electoral rules.
