Senate Counters Opposition Criticism, Defends Electoral Act as People-Centered Reform
Senate Counters Opposition Criticism, Defends Electoral Act as People-Centered Reform
The Nigerian Senate has pushed back against mounting criticism of the Electoral Act 2026 by opposition parties and other political stakeholders, insisting that the legislation reflects the collective will of Nigerians.
Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, stated that the law was not designed to favour any political group but was the outcome of extensive consultations involving key stakeholders across the country.
According to him, the National Assembly adhered to international best practices in the legislative process, emphasizing that the Act was developed through broad engagement with civil society organisations, electoral experts, and development partners.
The Electoral Act has, however, drawn sharp reactions from opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC), particularly over the non-mandatory use of electronic transmission of election results.
Critics argue that some provisions of the law could tilt the political playing field and create disadvantages for opposition parties in future elections.
Responding to these concerns, Bamidele maintained that provisions such as the requirement for political parties to maintain digital membership registers are aimed at enhancing transparency and strengthening internal democracy.
He also defended the inclusion of direct primaries and consensus options for candidate selection, noting that such measures are intended to reduce the influence of money politics and empower party members.
The Senate leader urged all political actors to comply with the provisions of the law, stressing that adherence to established rules is essential for deepening democracy and ensuring credible elections in Nigeria.
